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as in to hold
to have within the top drawer of the cabinet contains my stamp collection

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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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 Nearly 2,000 French firefighters are battling to contain a fast-moving blaze that has burnt through an area bigger than Paris and killed an elderly woman. Pierre Barin, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025 In fact, they’re both treated as science experiments and contained in research facilities under humans’ control. Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025 The fire crew managed to contain the fire entirely by Monday evening. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 5 Aug. 2025 The fruit contains a high water content and has many antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for contain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contain
Verb
  • Regardless of what the future holds, Roman Anthony has set himself and his family up for life, and the Red Sox have locked in yet another piece of their future at a reasonable rate.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • He is being held without bond at the Washington County Detention Center.
    NWA Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • That includes Play Protect, which protects your phone from dangerous apps from any source.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Bonus content includes a behind-the-scenes look at the airplane and ocean stunts, deleted footage montage with optional commentary by Director Christopher McQuarrie, the challenges of filming the technical and extremely dangerous stunts, and an in-depth discussion with McQuarrie and Cruise.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The Academy Foundation Board comprises 12 trustees who also are members of the Academy Board of Governors.
    Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Costa Navarino comprises four hotels: The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino, W Costa Navarino, and Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino.
    Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow composed the music for the film.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025
  • But in California, where three-quarters of the state legislature is Democratic, an independent commission composed of equal numbers of Democrats, Republicans, and independents is tasked with redistricting—a shift supported overwhelmingly by California voters in 2010.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The agency will no longer regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants or oil and gas operations.
    Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2025
  • The production of cortisol is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is the body’s main stress response system.
    Jillian Kubala, Health, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • So far, positive reviews from critics and publications have been pouring in for the sequel, which boasts a stellar 92% Rotten Tomatoes score.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • Another dubious distinction is that Texas boasts an economic precariousness that the rest of those states can’t match.
    Kathryn Anne Edwards, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Records showed the teen was released after serving a stint in youth prison, and that Bloom had not been involved in the teen's cases in years.
    Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 9 Aug. 2025
  • Consider, for example, how now-defunct publishers might add a wrinkle to ownership questions with some books involved in the litigation.
    Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Although the ingredient list is short, these powerhouses do so much, including preventing future breakouts, calming inflammation, minimizing itchiness, and depuffing the skin.
    Allure, Allure, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The right tools — think scented candles and diffusers, plush bath robes and calming music — engage the senses and encourage intentional downtime.
    Jené Luciani Sena , Caitlyn Martyn may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contain. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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