Definition of gathernext
1
2
as in to harvest
to catch or collect (a crop or natural resource) for human use late summer is when we gather the tomatoes and begin canning them for the winter

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
4
5
as in to accumulate
to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass the newspapers that had been allowed to gather on the front doorstep told thieves that the family was away on vacation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

6
7
as in to summon
to call into being through the use of one's inner resources or powers gathered the strength to finish the marathon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb gather differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of gather are assemble, collect, and congregate. While all these words mean "to come or bring together into a group, mass, or unit," gather is the most general term for bringing or coming together from a spread-out or scattered state.

a crowd quickly gathered

Where would assemble be a reasonable alternative to gather?

Although the words assemble and gather have much in common, assemble implies an ordered union or organization of persons or things often for a definite purpose.

experts assembled for a conference

When is collect a more appropriate choice than gather?

The words collect and gather can be used in similar contexts, but collect often implies careful selection or orderly arrangement.

collected books on gardening

When could congregate be used to replace gather?

In some situations, the words congregate and gather are roughly equivalent. However, congregate implies a spontaneous flocking together into a crowd or huddle.

congregating under a shelter

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gather At the void deck was a group of old men gathered around a stone table, bottles of beer open before them. — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026 Staff cutbacks also resulted in the agency reducing weather balloonsused to gather data fishermen rely on. — Patrick Whittle, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2026 On Saturday, thousands gathered to mourn her death and celebrate her legacy. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026 Officials from all six New England states recently gathered at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell for a summit on the revival of nuclear power in the region. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gather
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gather
Verb
  • Flora has collected contributions from unions, corporations including Walmart, Chevron and Uber, and major trade organizations and vastly eclipses the financial contributions that his challenger has received.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The benefits of having better fare gate technology go beyond collecting more revenue.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • An extensive kitchen garden and greenhouse are maintained on the property where the team grows and harvests organic fresh greens, vegetables, and herbs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Research has found that produce starts to lose nutritional value as soon as it’s harvested.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Dietitians, dermatology-adjacent brands and primary care clinicians are converging on the same message.
    — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Music, sports and sneaker culture converged in the street style, showcasing many of the influences that have shaped ComplexCon since its launch.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The new material is being introduced as part of a collection of 26 pieces aimed at reducing the dependence on conventional synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels such as nylon and polyester.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Until the 1960s, most public-school funding was derived from local sources, leaving poor areas with meager resources.
    — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Instead, overtones accumulate and churn and a loose banner of guitar is draped across the song.
    — Sadie Sartini Garner, Pitchfork, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Because microorganisms in water turn regular mercury into methylmercury, a toxic chemical form that binds tightly to fish tissue, the heavy metal accumulates to higher levels in aquatic animals.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The aim is to help a variety of institutions gain insights into the origins of their collections, providing a basis for further actions.
    — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Related Explore See latest videos, charts and news The tracking week included an extended holiday and saw few new releases, and perhaps with demand for reading also running high, long-selling novels gained points across the board.
    — Billboard Japan, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Roy interrupts this life update to summon the Diamond Dogs for advice about his predicament.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
  • On the politics, his statement summons a legacy-killing disaster by wagering that nothing will go wrong, when something likely will go wrong during his presidency.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The new leadership team that Skydance is assembling under the direction of Ellison and Ynon Kreiz, just recruited from Mattel to serve as co-CEO, has to navigate that dynamic.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Mallica Kumbera Landrus, the Ashmolean’s curator of Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian art, expressed excitement over the chance to assemble a trove of Bangladeshi art.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 2 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Gather.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gather. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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