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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 Many soaps contain yet more chemicals that have nothing to do with cleaning and everything to do with creating a fragrant facade of cleanliness. Matt Fuchs, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025 The key difference is that turmeric contains only a small amount of curcumin. Merve Ceylan, Health, 3 Mar. 2025 The formula also contains polyhydroxy acid, a cousin to AHAs that offer light exfoliating perks. Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 3 Mar. 2025 Authorities also found a small bag containing a tan powder-like substance which tested positive for fentanyl. Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for contain
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contain
Verb
  • With Republicans holding slim majorities in the House and Senate, Trump framed the speech as an opportunity to rally his party behind his policies, even as tensions simmered within GOP ranks over recent moves on trade and foreign aid.
    Nik Popli, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Democrats lodged protests throughout the evening, with one member getting kicked out and others holding signs in silent opposition.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The non-manufacturing PMI, which includes services and construction, also climbed to 50.4 from 50.2 in January.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Some estimates focus on entities that provide comprehensive wealth management services, including investment management, estate planning, and philanthropy.
    Francois Botha, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Since then, our campus in Oxford has flourished, now comprising dozens of researchers under the tutelage of Professor Alvaro Cartea.
    Steven Desmyter, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Women comprise the majority of solo travelers on most mixed-gender trips, too, a shift Khoo thinks will keep pushing the industry to adapt.
    Jen Rose Smith, AFAR Media, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Diversity Of Skills And Expertise High-performing executive teams are composed of individuals with complementary skills and experiences.
    Levi King, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote and composed the music for the original film, was replaced by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear in the sequel.
    Andrés Buenahora, Variety, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Colleagues in a healthy workplace regulate what’s acceptable and what grates with thousands of social cues that most don’t consciously register.
    Anna Jankowska, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Blood samples were taken to measure cytokines and chemokines, signaling proteins that help regulate inflammation and immune activity, and monocytes, white blood cells that help fight infection and heal damage.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Princeton, which only earned a B+ this year because of a large investment loss, boasts $3.7 million in endowment per student.
    Emma Whitford, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • The singer-songwriter boasts five No. 1s on the Americana/Folk Albums chart, notched between 2010 and 2021.
    Gary Trust, Billboard, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Petito’s case is one of many domestic violence tragedies involving young people that continue to provoke anger and fear, and that’s especially true when these cases involve teenagers.
    Julianna Bragg, CNN, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Nordahl and co-writer Rasmus Birch mostly keep the stakes high and the drama involving without sinking into histrionics; the resulting film, recently premiered in Berlin’s Panorama strand, is relatable and broadly distributable arthouse fare.
    Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The formula also provides skincare and wellness benefits with niacinamide to support the skin barrier and ashwagandha to calm nerves.
    Bea McMonagle, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Successfully calming down someone else can remind you of your capability to do the same for yourself.
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 28 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Contain.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contain. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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