CONTAINS Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

contains

verb

present tense third-person singular of contain

as in holds

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in includes

to have as part of a whole the contract contains several new clauses

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in comprises

to be made up of the recipe contains several parts

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in composes

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 regulates

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

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 contains The 25,000-square-foot facility contains a vertical test section measuring 20 feet in diameter and 24 feet tall. — Amy Galo, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 The partnership also contains an unusual provision connected to a potential public offering. — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 The bar code contains a lot of sensitive data, including your frequent flyer number, which may be linked to your email address, phone number, or other personal details. — Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026 The report compiled by the Star-Telegram contains data from July 12 through July 25 and 321 inspections. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Aug. 2026 The debate is no longer about whether the CLARITY Act contains suitable ethics provisions. — Anthony Scaramucci, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026 In most parts of the world, a salad usually contains lettuce. — Josh Miller, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026 Ingredients are listed by weight, and fresh meat contains a lot of water, which can skew its position before processing. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 27 July 2026 This story contains spoilers for Episode 6 of House of the Dragon Season 3. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 27 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contains

Verb

Chef Yannick Lohou, fresh from Barcelona, holds the dining room spellbound with pretty-as-a-picture dishes such as toro tartare with caviar.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026
The analogy holds, except that your boat has grown an engine, and the engine upgrades compound every few months.

— Michael Wee, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of holds

Verb

James' decision to run for governor left open his seat in the 10th District, which includes a portion of Oakland County and stretches across conservative communities in Macomb County.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
The event includes tailgate games and interactive experiences on the field, a DJ and autographs from coach Brent Key and Tech players.

— Mary Caldwell, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of includes

Verb

The museum comprises 30 galleries, spanning 11,600 square meters (124,860 square feet) of interior exhibition space and 23,000 square meters (247,570 square feet) of outdoor exhibition space.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 4 Aug. 2026
The lineup as a whole comprises 15 titles from Korea and four each from Taiwan and Japan, alongside two from Indonesia.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of comprises

Verb

Led by Guido Pagano, PhD, a physics and astronomy professor at Rice University in Houston, Texas, the research team developed a two-knob control system that independently regulates heating and cooling.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 31 July 2026
Herzog said clock changes disrupt circadian rhythms, the body's internal clock that regulates sleep and other biological functions.

— Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 31 July 2026

Definition of regulates

Verb

The district that encompasses the park, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, had closed playgrounds and sports facilities, including a swimming pool.

— Ben Crair, New Yorker, 31 July 2026
This category also encompasses creams or pastes—essentially anything that can be passed through with a butter knife—from common travel necessities like shampoo, face wash, and sunscreen; to toothpaste, hairspray, and even peanut butter.

— Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026

Definition of encompasses

Verb

The Marine Rain Massage is an immersive treatment that releases muscle tension, calms the nervous system, and activates circulation.

— Rana Good, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
Lake Oconee, Georgia While summer on the water in Georgia is a boisterous and exciting time—often accompanied by boat rides, cold drinks, music, and waterskis—lake life calms in the fall.

— Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 28 July 2026