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collect verb
Synonyms: collect, gather, assemble, hoard
collect
to bring things or people together, or to come together
We collected information from all the people who offered to help. A crowd collected at the scene of the accident.
gather
to come together in one place, or be brought together by someone
Groups of people gathered outside the government building. They gathered together a team of experienced people for the new project.
assemble
to come together in a place, or to be brought together by someone, especially formally or in an ordered way
We’ll assemble outside the hotel at 9 a.m. They assembled a panel of experts to renew the project. Assemble all the items you need for the cake before you start making it.
hoard
to buy and store supplies of something essential that you think you will need in a crisis
Everyone started hoarding fuel during the strike.
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competition noun
Synonyms: competition, contest, match, game
competition
an event in which several teams or people compete with each other
He won first prize in the photography competition.
contest
any event or situation in which people compete with each other
a beauty contest There are three senior politicians in this leadership contest.
match
a single occasion when two teams or players compete with each other in a sport
We watched the football match on TV. He won the last two tennis matches he played.
game
an activity in which people compete with each other using skill, strength or luck
She’s not very good at games like chess. I enjoy a game of cards.
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complain verb
Synonyms: complain, object, protest, grumble, whine Antonym: praise
Synonyms:
complain
to say that something is not good or does not work properly
The shop is so cold the staff have started complaining. They are complaining that our prices are too high.
object
to say that you do not like something or you do not want something to happen
We object to being treated like children. He objected that the pay was too low.
protest
to say that you strongly disapprove of something, sometimes by shouting or speaking angrily
Passengers began protesting about the lack of heating on the train. My assistant protested about having to work at the weekend.
grumble
to complain in a bad-tempered way, especially regularly and often about unimportant things
He’s always grumbling about the music from the flat above.
whine
to complain frequently in a way that annoys other people
She’s always whining about how little money she has.
Antonym:
praise
to express strong approval of something or someone
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contestant noun
Synonyms: contestant, candidate, candidate, contender, applicant, entrant
contestant
a person who takes part in a competition
The two contestants shook hands before the match.
candidate
a person who applies for a job
We interviewed six candidates for the post of assistant manager.
candidate
a person who has entered for an examination
Candidates are given three hours to complete the exam.
contender
a person who takes part in a competition, especially someone who is likely to win
He’s a definite contender for the world title.
applicant
a person who applies for something
job applicants Applicants for licences must fill in this form.
entrant
a person who takes part in a race, examination or competition
There are over a thousand entrants for the race.