INCLUDE Synonyms: 84 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'include' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of include are comprehend , embrace , and involve . While all these words mean "to contain within as part of the whole," include suggests the containment of something as a constituent, component, or subordinate part of a larger whole. // the price of dinner includes dessert

Q: When could 'comprehend' be used to replace 'include'?

The words comprehend and include can be used in similar contexts, but comprehend implies that something comes within the scope of a statement or definition. // his system comprehends all history

Q: In what contexts can 'embrace' take the place of 'include'?

The meanings of embrace and include largely overlap; however, embrace implies a gathering of separate items within a whole. // her faith embraces both Christian and non-Christian beliefs

Q: When is it sensible to use 'involve' instead of 'include'?

The words involve and include are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, involve suggests inclusion by virtue of the nature of the whole, whether by being its natural or inevitable consequence. // the new job involves a lot of detail

include

verb

in-ˈklüd

Definition of include

as in to involve

to have as part of a whole the college application included some thought-provoking essay questions

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to house

to close or shut in by or as if by barriers that inextinguishable spark of liberty that is included within every human being

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb include contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of include are comprehend, embrace, and involve. While all these words mean "to contain within as part of the whole," include suggests the containment of something as a constituent, component, or subordinate part of a larger whole.

the price of dinner includes dessert

When could comprehend be used to replace include?

The words comprehend and include can be used in similar contexts, but comprehend implies that something comes within the scope of a statement or definition.

his system comprehends all history

In what contexts can embrace take the place of include?

The meanings of embrace and include largely overlap; however, embrace implies a gathering of separate items within a whole.

her faith embraces both Christian and non-Christian beliefs

When is it sensible to use involve instead of include?

The words involve and include are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, involve suggests inclusion by virtue of the nature of the whole, whether by being its natural or inevitable consequence.

the new job involves a lot of detail

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 include Six bottles were brought out, including a 2018 Château Haut-Bataille and a 2010 Lynch-Bages. — Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Oct. 2026 Those values might include being honest, assertive, or standing up for themselves. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 The Coens join a roll call of previous recipients including Clint Eastwood, Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Wong Kar-wai, Jane Fonda, Tim Burton, Jane Campion and Michael Mann. — Lise Pedersen, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026 In total, the UK spent £145 billion on benefits for working-age people and children – including incapacity and disability benefits (£77 billion); housing benefit (£37 billion); and child benefit (£13 billion). — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for include

Recent Examples of Synonyms for include

Verb

Soon, after Wade, who loves to self-medicate his ADHD with alcohol and mushrooms, is involved in a horrific accident, and Snook’s Cove residents begin acting oddly, Calvin and Fonda realize something is amiss in the water.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Tinubu’s then-employers at Mobil Oil told investigators his treasurer role did not involve moving large sums and that the company never authorized him to hold its funds personally.

— Adrian Elimian, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of involve

Verb

Tourist attractions abound—from colorful boutique shops to enticing coffee roasters—many housed in the pale-yellow, former government buildings.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The museum, leaders announced on Wednesday, will also house a genealogy center that will be intended to help visitors preserve family history through the company FamilySearch.

— Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of house

Verb

The tents with a bathroom in them, a seemingly obvious upgrade from those without (there’s a communal washroom), have toilets that aren’t completely enclosed.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Each petal serves both structural and aesthetic purposes, enclosing a vast central hall that can accommodate up to 2,500 worshippers.

— Kieron Marchese, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of enclose

Verb

The CIDs being sent to AI companies are dozens of questions long, according to the official, encompassing what the companies have said about the dangers of their products and other questions around consumer harm.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 8 Oct. 2026
Specifically, this image was captured by JWST's NIRCam (Near-InfraRed Camera) instrument, which peers into the near-infrared, a wavelength range that encompasses the light from faint stars and galaxies.

— Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of encompass

Verb

No longer confined to gambling dens and brothel districts, yakuza muscled their way into other businesses, some legal, some not.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Stepping onto the train felt surreal, an experience previously confined to my trips aboard.

— Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of confine

Verb

Doing so would entail repairing cracks that admit water, maintaining the foundations of each section, applying a sealant to slow the weathering process, and keeping the encroachment of vegetation in check.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
The court said she was owed notice of the allegations and a chance to respond, and issued guidance for what a later finding of cause might entail.

— Matt Peterson, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of entail

Browse Nearby Words

in clover

include

included

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Style

“Include.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/include. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of include

verb

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