Synonyms of contain

contain

verb

kən-ˈtān 

1

as in to hold

to have within

the top drawer of the cabinet contains my stamp collection

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hold
• boast
• encompass
• house
• bear
• accommodate
• enclose
• take
• fit
• encase
• case
• shelter
• harbor
• lodge

2

as in to include

to have as part of a whole

the contract contains several new clauses

Synonyms & Similar Words

• include
• involve
• encompass
• carry
• entail
• comprise
• number
• comprehend
• take in
• embrace
• subsume
• receive
• possess
• incorporate
• have
• constitute
• consist (of)
• hold
• own
• embody
• bracket
• admit
• form
• compose
• integrate
• make
• assimilate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• prevent
• exclude
• leave (out)
• omit
• preclude
• prohibit
• eliminate
• refuse
• deny
• miss out
• reject
• ban
• bar
• lose
• rule out
• debar
• except
• misplace
• mislay

3

as in to comprise

to be made up of

the recipe contains several parts

Synonyms & Similar Words

• comprise
• include
• consist (of)
• involve
• encompass
• entail
• muster
• incorporate
• comprehend
• take in
• embody
• embrace
• assimilate

4

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

• compose
• calm
• restrain
• collect
• control
• settle
• re-collect
• recover
• hold back
• soothe
• still
• rally
• lull
• quiet
• tranquilize

5

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

• regulate
• control
• keep
• restrain
• curb
• suppress
• hold
• measure
• stifle
• tame
• inhibit
• govern
• constrain
• check
• rule
• stop
• swallow
• pull in
• rein (in)
• interrupt
• repress
• hold back
• impede
• smother
• hinder
• bridle
• choke (back)
• obstruct
• block
• hamper
• strangle
• muffle
• squelch
• sink
• silence
• arrest
• mince
• bottle (up)
• pocket
• handcuff
• muzzle
• gag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lose
• liberate
• express
• loosen
• loose
• take out
• unleash
• vent
• air

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

Recent Examples of contain

But the sharpshooting Murphy was contained to nine after the break as Denver fought back. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026

Simple habits like vacuuming more frequently and avoiding personal care products that contain phthalates can lower exposures. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026

The lean protein contains omega-3 fatty acids, which have an inflammation-lowering effect on the body, says Pasquariello. —Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 13 Jan. 2026

Most coffee cakes don’t contain any actual coffee. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026