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 But the bodega sample didn't appear to even contain a peptide at all. — Adam Yamaguchi, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 The experience of this year’s conflict, in which successive rounds of fighting outran diplomatic efforts to contain them, offers little reason for that confidence. — Ali Vaez, Time, 21 Oct. 2026 An 8-ounce cup of black tea typically contains around 30 to 50 milligrams of caffeine. — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026 After all, not all fats—or the foods that contain them—are created equal. — Laura Solla, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contain

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contain

Verb

Until now, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has insisted the men were still alive and being held by gangs.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026
The Boise State defense also produced a turnover-on-downs in the final minutes, batting away several shots at the end zone to hold the Cougars to 10 points.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of hold

Verb

Fifth-year cornerback Jaden Mickey made some big stops, including a pass breakup, while the defensive front produced four sacks for 37 yards and seven tackles for loss.

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
Voters in six states will soon decide whether to impose or expand voter identification requirements, including rules requiring mail voters to provide part of a driver’s license or Social Security number.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 25 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 Kinest’e Community Coalition, composed of Lincoln and other tribal members and their allies, continues its fight to not only have a say in the project but also to reroute the trail to protect sacred sites, including graves.

— Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Particleboard, for example, signals a contemporary renovation since the original kitchens were composed primarily of solid softwood and wood-core board.

— Tara Anne Dalbow, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of compose

Verb

An architect’s struggle with Nevada’s state licensing board raises a broader question about how to regulate industry.

— Wendy R. Anderson, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026
The group says it’s shaped several must-haves by taking lessons from Washington’s failure to regulate social media.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of regulate

Verb

The Badgers have just eight sacks as a defense this season, but boast one of the best pass rushers in the Big Ten, senior Sebastian Cheeks.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
By the time multicellular creatures arrived, our living planet boasted nearly five thousand minerals—an abundance unmatched in our solar system.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of boast

Verb

Hamilton said he was not involved in his church’s investigation of Moore and the church’s decision to let Moore return to the camp in 2006, a year after the initial allegations.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Taiwanese regulators blocked a previous deal involving Foodpanda.

— Jay Ganglani, Fortune, 22 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

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contagium

contain

contained

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Style

“Contain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contain. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of contain

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