collected 1 of 2

adjective

kə-ˈlek-təd How to pronounce collected (audio)
Definition of collectednext
as in composed
free from emotional or mental agitation stayed calm and collected while she was in the MRI unit

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

collected

2 of 2

verb

past tense of collect
1
as in contained
to gain emotional or mental control of applicants should collect their thoughts while waiting to be interviewed

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2
as in accumulated
to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass dust has been collecting under my bed for years

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3
as in compiled
to bring together from several sources into a single volume or list collected the author's early short stories, which were originally published in several obscure sci-fi magazines

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4
as in assembled
to bring together in one body or place she collects antique silverware

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5
as in gathered
to come together into one body or place a crowd collected at the beach as the sun slowly set over the horizon

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word collected different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of collected are composed, cool, imperturbable, nonchalant, and unruffled. While all these words mean "free from agitation or excitement," collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis.

the nurse stayed calm and collected

When is it sensible to use composed instead of collected?

The synonyms composed and collected are sometimes interchangeable, but composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition.

the composed pianist gave a flawless concert

In what contexts can cool take the place of collected?

In some situations, the words cool and collected are roughly equivalent. However, cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness.

kept a cool head

When could imperturbable be used to replace collected?

The meanings of imperturbable and collected largely overlap; however, imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation.

the speaker remained imperturbable despite the heckling

When is nonchalant a more appropriate choice than collected?

The words nonchalant and collected are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern.

a nonchalant driver

When would unruffled be a good substitute for collected?

The words unruffled and collected can be used in similar contexts, but unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement.

harried but unruffled

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 collected
Adjective
After that, the English translation for all three parts of Shubeik Lubeik was acquired by Pantheon Books for North America and Granta for the UK, for publication as a single collected volume in Jan 2023. —Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025 The collected data is then processed into a living digital record that supports human decision-making, risk detection, and long-term documentation. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Dec. 2025
Verb
Food was also collected during the church’s services on Sunday morning. —Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026 Tensions with privacy concerns There are ostensibly legal guardrails that are supposed to dictate how companies like Google access and share footage collected on cameras in and around people’s homes. —Safiyah Riddle, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for collected
Recent Examples of Synonyms for collected
  1. composed
  2. contained
  3. accumulated
  4. compiled
  5. assembled
  6. gathered
  7. calm
  8. amassed
Adjective
  • Comfortable Ride: Adaptive dynamics with the optional air suspension provides a smooth and composed ride, even on rough roads and off road trails.
    — Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 1 Feb. 2026
  • When the center returned to Minnesota, Finch saw a player who was more composed and sure of how to use his boundless energy within the context of the game.
    — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 15 Jan. 2026
Definition of composed
Verb
  • The best-selling book contained several bombshell revelations, many of which were related to Spears’ controversial conservatorship, which finally ended in 2021.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Fungi fossils preserved in the chert contained compounds from the breakdown of chitin and glucan, key structural molecules in fungi.
    — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of contained
Verb
  • The trust accumulated over those projects was what gave both Netflix and Honnold the confidence to mount a spectacle as daring as a rope-less skyscraper climb captured on live TV.
    — Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 9 Feb. 2026
  • When Bad Bunny began the halftime show by carrying a football around his detailed Levi’s Stadium set, jokes that the artist had accumulated more yards than the Patriots flooded social media.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of accumulated
Verb
  • In 2022, Hong Kong plunged 68 places to 148th out of 180 territories in the press freedom index compiled by media freedom organization Reporters Without Borders.
    — Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • It was shared with the AP on condition that the news organization not identify the country whose peacekeepers compiled the findings for internal use by their senior command.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of compiled
Verb
  • Its glow fell upon the select gathering, personally assembled by Soo Hoo — among them, founder of the Vivino wine app, Heini Zachariassen, certified Master of Wine and commentator Ned Goodwin and editor-in-chief of The Wine Advocate, William Kelley.
    — Pin Yen Tan 9 min ago, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The panel is assembled by the Associated Press.
    — Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of assembled
Verb
  • Soon a crowd gathered and helped carry Ghadimi into a nearby house.
    — Babak Dehghanpisheh, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
  • On Wednesday, Betts was home in Southern California, and once again gathered a group to watch together on TV.
    — Claire McNear, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of gathered
Adjective
  • But Vonn, whose injury history is almost as long as her résumé, looked calm during training, coach Aksel Lund Svindal said Saturday.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026
  • In court, Mickey grasps at straws, trying to clear his name, and in jail, the usually calm, cool and collected attorney is struggling to stay sane.
    — Pamela Avila, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of calm
Verb
  • Of the 5,195 iguanas collected, 3,882 of them were amassed at the FWC's office in Sunrise, about 13 miles west of Fort Lauderdale, the FWC said.
    — Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Going into the night, Anderson’s action epic had amassed 35 critics and guild prizes for best picture, including a rare sweep of all four major critics prizes — National Board of Review, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, New York Film Critics Circle and the National Society of Film Critics.
    — Michael Schneider, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of amassed

Browse Nearby Words

collectanea
collected
collectedly
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Cite this Entry

“Collected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/collected. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of collected for Spanish Speakers

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