contained 1 of 2

Definition of containednext

contained

2 of 2

verb

past tense of contain
1
as in held
to have within the top drawer of the cabinet contains my stamp collection

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
4
as in calmed
to gain emotional or mental control of could hardly contain herself when she heard that she had won the scholarship

Synonyms & Similar Words

5

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 contained
Adjective
And beyond that, everyone else had to be very contained and very disciplined and very selfless. Laura Bradley, Vulture, 8 July 2025
Verb
The soft surface keeps your knives sharp, and the juice groove keeps everything contained for spill-free, clean counters. Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026 The idea that knowledge generated inside a large subsidized investment does not stay contained to that one company suggests a form of knowledge diffusion outward to the businesses around it. Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contained
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contained
Adjective
  • Barbie’s hair choices, too, are ever so composed and elegant.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 29 July 2026
  • Replacement Ryunosuke Ito, plucked from Meiji University, had a composed debut, including laying on a try for Matsunaga, who was five for five off the tee.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
Verb
  • The rapper, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has been held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center since he was arrested in September 2024.
    Daniel S. Levine, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
  • That means every state budget could be held hostage until the whims of a small fraction of legislators is satisfied.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • No details on injuries or fatalities were included in the post, which asked community members for video footage, photographs or any information related to the shooting.
    Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Other defensive standouts included Jaden Hicks forcing a fumble and Felix Anudike-Uzomah recording a sack, as the Chiefs' first-half defense impressed before a 16-15 loss.
    Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The zaobanchu during Qianlong’s reign comprised nearly one thousand artisans, who worked out of fear to serve the demands of the insatiable emperor who would sometimes dole out severe punishments, like taking away a year’s salary.
    Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The testing phase comprised 53 separate commissioning procedures broken into 308 individual chapters.
    Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Diplomatic talks ultimately calmed tensions, and no further attacks occurred.
    Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Since then, 30-year Treasury yields rose 11 basis points and JGB yields 23 basis points, before Bessent again temporarily calmed markets following the announcement that the Treasury would more than double its long-term bond repurchases.
    Justin Zacks, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The now 34-year-old claimed that Debra controlled every aspect of her personal and financial life until her mother died due to cancer in 2013.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The siblings’ father, Jerry Buss, controlled the team from 1979 until his death in 2013.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Data brokers legally comb the internet for such information, build profiles using the collected information, and sell those profiles to anyone who’ll pay.
    Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Paired with the Emme play table, this duo creates the kind of collected look that feels professionally layered.
    Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • The original Volt boasted a combined range of almost 400 miles.
    Brooke Crothers, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • In the wake of the most recent rulings, Hoskins has repeatedly boasted about his wins in court.
    Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Contained.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contained. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster