congregated

Met in groups

Congregated is the past tense of congregate, meaning to gather or assemble in a group.

People congregate in places where they share common interests or purposes: Protesters congregated outside the courthouse.

The word often implies coming together voluntarily rather than being summoned: Students congregated in the quad between classes.

clustered

massed

Collected in quantity

bunchedGrouped tightly together
clumpedGathered into masses
groupedArranged by similarity

huddled · thronged · swarmed · flocked · herded · packed · crowded · amassed · accumulated · concentrated

assembled

convened

Formally gathered together

summonedCalled to appear
musteredGathered or summoned
mobilizedAssembled for action

rallied · brought together · joined · united · reconvened · adjourned · dispersed · organized · coordinated

gathered

assembly

Constructing from components

crowdLarge public gathering
meetingGathering for discussion
conventionAgreed standard of behavior

conference · forum · symposium · summit · conclave · caucus · convocation · seminar · workshop · panel

Opposites

gathering versus dispersal

congregateddispersed

Spread widely apart

scattered · separated · dissipated · disbanded · spread out

Phrases

preached to the congregationDelivered religious message publicly
religious congregationsOrganized bodies of worshippers
church congregation
congregational prayerGroup supplication in unison
congregational singingCollective vocal worship

Family

congregation, congregate, congregating, congregates, congregations, congregational

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G