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

Knecht ultimately shot a five-over 76, and signed a scorecard containing a rare 1 and 7 combo. —Mark Harris, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026

The report compiled by the Star-Telegram contains 97 inspections from May 17-23. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026

Some meat, dairy products and chicken eggs have been found to contain PFAS chemicals, but initial results from Food and Drug Administration research show that most detectable PFAS were found in seafood. —Mara Hoplamazian, NPR, 2 June 2026

Surveillance continued for months before investigators moved in on Friday, May 29, when agents watched a series of vehicle transfers involving large containers and packages that authorities believed contained narcotics. —Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 June 2026