CONTAIN Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'contain' different from other verbs like it?

The words accommodate and hold are common synonyms of contain . While all three words mean "to have or be capable of having within," contain implies the actual presence of a specified substance or quantity within something. // the can contains a quart of oil

Q: Where would 'accommodate' be a reasonable alternative to 'contain'?

The meanings of accommodate and contain largely overlap; however, accommodate stresses holding without crowding or inconvenience. // the hall can accommodate 500 people

Q: When is it sensible to use 'hold' instead of 'contain'?

While in some cases nearly identical to contain , hold implies the capacity of containing or the usual or permanent function of containing or keeping. // the bookcase will hold all my textbooks

contain

verb

kən-ˈtān

Definition of contain

as in to hold

to have within the top drawer of the cabinet contains my stamp collection

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to include

to have as part of a whole the contract contains several new clauses

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to comprise

to be made up of the recipe contains several parts

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to compose

to gain emotional or mental control of could hardly contain herself when she heard that she had won the scholarship

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to regulate

to keep from exceeding a desirable degree or level (as of expression) frantic efforts to contain the spread of the disease

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word contain different from other verbs like it?

The words accommodate and hold are common synonyms of contain. While all three words mean "to have or be capable of having within," contain implies the actual presence of a specified substance or quantity within something.

the can contains a quart of oil

Where would accommodate be a reasonable alternative to contain?

The meanings of accommodate and contain largely overlap; however, accommodate stresses holding without crowding or inconvenience.

the hall can accommodate 500 people

When is it sensible to use hold instead of contain?

While in some cases nearly identical to contain, hold implies the capacity of containing or the usual or permanent function of containing or keeping.

the bookcase will hold all my textbooks

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 contain Apply about 1 pound of nitrogen-containing fertilizer per 1,000 square feet two or three times at one-month intervals beginning in early fall. — Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2026 Lest that sound intense, the K-beauty serum also contains niacinamide and allantoin—known for their soothing, anti-inflammatory properties—to minimize any risk of irritation. — Deanna Pai, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2026 About 50 pallets containing 12 pots apiece line a ridge near their house. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Their numbers remained contained until 2023, and local fishermen reported catching them only sporadically. — ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contain

Verb

Namely, a forgiving elastic waistband, a breezy, lightweight feel, and pockets that are actually deep enough to hold your essentials.

— Jill Layton, PEOPLE, 30 Aug. 2026
The bag is big enough to hold all your travel essentials—even a small umbrella or tablet—and features two slip pockets and one zip pocket inside.

— Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of hold

Verb

Chinese manufacturers have expanded from areas including etching and deposition into ion implantation, inspection and metrology, according to Goldman.

— Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
Additionally, the career money list only includes official prize money.

— Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of include

Verb

Silvester envisions his new Q-Class association eventually leading to a global racing circuit, comprising Victoria and Q7’s six remaining slots for new builds.

— Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2026
All-in, the equipment weighs almost 500 tonnes and comprises more than 40 shipping containers and several oversized loads.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of comprise

Verb

Anurag Saikia composed the music for the first track, which features vocals by Jyoti Nooran and lyrics by Shakeel Azmi.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
One such scene that appears captured, not composed, arises when a playful exchange about AccRite’s dead son on a job site goes too far.

— Marshall Shaffer, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of compose

Verb

Food and drink The hotel boasts a whopping 13 restaurants and bars.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Arizona also boasts diverse landscapes and a variety of ecosystems, from alpine forests to deserts, all of which different kinds of bats have fashioned a home.

— Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of boast

Verb

Her body was found Monday morning in the waters near Hagley Landing, a boat ramp leading to the Waccamaw River in the small town of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, following an extensive search involving hundreds of people and multiple agencies.

— Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
The voyage involved a 57,038-DWT bulk carrier, giving the system a test under real commercial operating conditions.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of involve

Verb

The lightweight formula pairs olive, argan, jojoba, sunflower, and safflower oils with smoothing silicones to calm frizz and boost shine.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
The tech giant's commentary around artificial intelligence demand appeared to calm down some of those fears.

— Kai Nicol-Schwarz,Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of calm

Browse Nearby Words

contagium

contain

contained

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Style

“Contain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contain. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of contain

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