1
2
as in to include
to have as part of a whole
the contract contains several new clauses
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to comprise
to be made up of
the recipe contains several parts
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contain
Employees apply potash — salts containing potassium — from Canada and phosphorus from Eastern Europe to the soil in the fall.
—
Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Bomb squad members scanned both bags with an X-ray and found the white bag contained wiring characteristic of an explosive device, according to the complaint.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
Then the show’s teaser trailer was released, which contained a downright scandalous lack of green in its color palette.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026
It was contained by the hazardous materials team and there is no risk to the public.
—Joe Kottke, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contain
Star Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Bomb squad members scanned both bags with an X-ray and found the white bag contained wiring characteristic of an explosive device, according to the complaint.
—Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
Then the show’s teaser trailer was released, which contained a downright scandalous lack of green in its color palette.
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 17 Mar. 2026
It was contained by the hazardous materials team and there is no risk to the public.
—Joe Kottke, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contain
Verb
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The funeral prayer for the 41-year-old Afghan father of six who died Saturday in ICE custody was held Tuesday while more questions arise about why he was picked up and what caused his death less than a day later.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
18 Mar. 2026
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This year, The Roots Picnic will be held at Belmont Plateau— a change from last year's venue that faced significant issues with long entry lines and rainy conditions.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The question box includes a space for your name, but this is optional.—
Carolyn Hax,
Washington Post,
27 Mar. 2026
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Rachel McAdams came out to speak of the many beloved actresses, including Diane Keaton and Catherine O’Hara, who died in the past year.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The device itself is an orange-sized sensor comprising two main components that function much like the lens and retina of the eyes.—
Etiido Uko
March 14,
New Atlas,
14 Mar. 2026
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As in equities, a credit CV that purchases part of the shares in a private credit fund from those desiring to leave establishes a new separate fund, comprising the new buyout investors, that’s still managed by the PE firm that raised and ran the original pool.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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For most of its 700-year history, its membership was composed of noblemen — almost never women — who inherited their seats, alongside a smattering of bishops.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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Some physicists argue that this failure point in our understanding tells us that the universe is fundamentally composed not of particles, but of vibrating strings and membranes.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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There’s a lot of science behind this practice, but to put it simply, baking in a water bath regulates and moderates the temperature of the baked good, encouraging an even bake.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
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Probiotics have become a buzzword in grocery aisles and on social media, in part because of a growing body of research highlighting the importance of a healthy gut microbiome – the body’s vast ecosystem of bacteria and other microbes that helps regulate digestion, metabolism and immune function.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Box office watchers are bullish that reviews — the film boasts a 95% average on Rotten Tomatoes — and positive word-of-mouth could propel initial ticket sales even higher.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
17 Mar. 2026
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Pulled straight out of Ireland and dropped onto 14th Street, Grace’s boasts dim candlelight, brotherly bartenders, and a leveled grit that leaves you teetering between kicking off a folk song or dragging from a cigarette from a stranger outside.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Governments get involved Despite official warnings published by China's state media about OpenClaw's security risks, several local governments have proposed incentives in the past week to encourage companies to develop applications using the AI tool.—
Evelyn Cheng,Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
12 Mar. 2026
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Readers send Miss Manners not only their table and party questions, but those involving the more complicated aspects of life - romance, work, family relationships, child-rearing, death - as well as philosophical and moral dilemmas.—
Judith Martin,
Dallas Morning News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Onboard, all passengers are treated with spacious leather seats, curated in-flight refreshments (including bone broth), and calming aids like warm towels.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Mar. 2026
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The announcement failed to immediately calm oil prices, which have spiraled since Tehran effectively closed the vital Strait of Hormuz oil chokepoint and began attacking energy facilities across neighboring Gulf countries.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contain. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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