INCLUDE Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'include' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of include are comprehend , embrace , and involve . While all these words mean "to contain within as part of the whole," include suggests the containment of something as a constituent, component, or subordinate part of a larger whole. // the price of dinner includes dessert

Q: When could 'comprehend' be used to replace 'include'?

The words comprehend and include can be used in similar contexts, but comprehend implies that something comes within the scope of a statement or definition. // his system comprehends all history

Q: In what contexts can 'embrace' take the place of 'include'?

The meanings of embrace and include largely overlap; however, embrace implies a gathering of separate items within a whole. // her faith embraces both Christian and non-Christian beliefs

Q: When is it sensible to use 'involve' instead of 'include'?

The words involve and include are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, involve suggests inclusion by virtue of the nature of the whole, whether by being its natural or inevitable consequence. // the new job involves a lot of detail

include

verb

in-ˈklüd

Definition of include

as in to involve

to have as part of a whole the college application included some thought-provoking essay questions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to house

to close or shut in by or as if by barriers that inextinguishable spark of liberty that is included within every human being

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb include contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of include are comprehend, embrace, and involve. While all these words mean "to contain within as part of the whole," include suggests the containment of something as a constituent, component, or subordinate part of a larger whole.

the price of dinner includes dessert

When could comprehend be used to replace include?

The words comprehend and include can be used in similar contexts, but comprehend implies that something comes within the scope of a statement or definition.

his system comprehends all history

In what contexts can embrace take the place of include?

The meanings of embrace and include largely overlap; however, embrace implies a gathering of separate items within a whole.

her faith embraces both Christian and non-Christian beliefs

When is it sensible to use involve instead of include?

The words involve and include are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, involve suggests inclusion by virtue of the nature of the whole, whether by being its natural or inevitable consequence.

the new job involves a lot of detail

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 include Mom says her burnout recovery regimen includes baking, painting, and going to Disneyland every day. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2026 The 1950, 1960 and 1970 columns on Doug’s list include Fortune Brands, Brown Shoe, Hartmarx, Magnavox and S&W Fine Foods -- companies that manufactured goods rather than sold them. — Jason Goldberg, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Food and drink Three meals a day—included in the rate, except for alcohol—are served in the main lodge, with every group being assigned the same table during their stay. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026 The park, which includes a beach, playground, and walking trails, is staffed seasonally. — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for include

Recent Examples of Synonyms for include

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

In 1985, Dior issued a limited edition bracelet meant to house their famous Poison perfume, a thick, hollow noodle finished with resin stoppers that could be filled with the scent.

— Chloe Schama, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
Animation series will be housed at the Hotel Sina Bernini Bristol, with new programs titled Animation Next and Gap Financing.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of house

Verb

The lawsuit filed by two former employees contains allegations that are false, misleading, and unsupported by credible evidence.

— Devon Henderson, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
The lawsuit, first reported by the Times of San Diego, contains previously unreported details about the shooting and the events leading up to it.

— Will Carless, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of contain

Verb

Nearby is The Birth, 2026, a ziggurat partly woven from bags of fertilizer, enclosing a film installation about the assembly of drones, shot in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

— Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
The whole community is enclosed within high brick walls, but the four brick ministers’ buildings are surrounded by an additional iron fence with two large steel entry gates.

— Jonathan Flint, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of enclose

Verb

The publication grew under her leadership, and encompassed a more diverse range of voices, featuring the likes of Maya Angelou, Angela Davis, and Alice Walker.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
There are many thousands of national parks around the world, so the trickiest part is narrowing down the list—but these 17, spanning six continents and encompassing an extraordinary range of scenery, are a good place to start.

— Caitlin Morton, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of encompass

Verb

Policy alignment to create alternative sources of supply outside China will entail costs.

— Chad P. Bown, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2026
Scientists use this technique, called candling — which historically entailed holding up a burning candle — to assess the contents of shark eggs for health, viability and genetic diversity.

— Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of entail

Verb

But Oliver said the contractors installed the grinder pump a month ago with its own power source encased in a locked box and didn’t provide her with a key.

— Christin Lazerus, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Little Miner’s version isn’t so much a riff as an homage, with a flour tortilla encasing queso sauce, tortilla chips, chipotle aioli, lettuce, tomato, raw onion, sour cream and a choice of proteins.

— Warren Rojas, Washington Post, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of encase

Browse Nearby Words

in clover

include

included

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Include.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/include. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of include

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes