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 If upheld by Moscow as well as Kyiv, an energy cease-fire would be a crucial step toward containing the war. — Eric Ciaramella, Foreign Affairs, 14 Oct. 2026 Thomas Robinson's father, Paul, who is a prominent Pittsburgh attorney, was charged in the case and accused of helping hide a safe containing drugs and cash for his son. — Mike Darnay, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 My book Master Sun’s Problem, which came out from Princeton University Press on October 13, contains the full answer. — Dana MacKenzie, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026 The system also showed crucial differences between two types of iron-containing particles. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contain

Verb

Deep underground, iron-rich rocks could hold the key to producing hydrogen at a fraction of the cost of conventional fuels.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 18 Oct. 2026
Firms that know exactly where the line sits hold quiet advantages their competitors cannot purchase or replicate.

— Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of hold

Verb

Iranian missiles and drones struck several Gulf states repeatedly including the UAE, hitting five star hotels and Dubai’s airport.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
There are so many delicious desserts that star apples, including cakes, cobblers, and more.

— Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of include

Verb

But more are reliant on communication networks like Starlink, which presently comprises a constellation of 11,000 low Earth orbit satellites.

— Gerard Toal, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026
These included Villa Viesca, the former summer home of Salvatore and Wanda Ferragamo, and Dimora Ghirlandaio, a resort in Tuscany, both of which comprised the villas where the American envoy stays during the summit.

— Emily Zemler, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of comprise

Verb

The jury is composed of Cristina Cassano, head of Contemporary Italian Cinema Promotion at Cinecittà, filmmaker Sofia Exarchou and Anne Østerud, a film editor.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
The fact that more military-age men are disproportionately among those eliminated is consistent with the fact that terrorist organizations are predominantly composed of men in this age group.

— Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of compose

Verb

These tiny architects of the deep sea actively regulate microbial populations.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Oct. 2026
Leaning into many voters’ skepticism of artificial intelligence and data centers, Biss has also put forward a multipart plan to regulate the industry.

— Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of regulate

Verb

The Longhorns boast a 1-5 overall (1-2 District 8-5A Division I) ahead of a district matchup against Mansfield Legacy on Thursday.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026
In Texas, Republicans seized on an old interview in which Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico boasted that his campaign, then for the Texas statehouse, was going vegan.

— Nicholas Riccardi, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of boast

Verb

Federal law enforcement had launched more than 100 investigations into crimes in which Tren de Aragua members are involved, as of late 2024, according to an NBC report.

— Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026
The character was killed in a helicopter crash in Amritsar, Indian that also involved the Indian Prime Minister.

— Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of involve

Verb

Many longtime residents have developed habits to calm their minds during these exceptional conditions — meditation, a dip in the ocean to trigger the calming mammalian dive response, support groups to talk through the pain.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Winds are expected to calm Friday evening, and skies will clear.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of calm

Browse Nearby Words

contagium

contain

contained

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Contain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contain. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of contain

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes