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 Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne and Lainey Reid took the win, extending a run that already includes the Women's Tag Team Championships and a victory over Brie Bella and Paige at Saturday Night's Main Event on July 18. — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026 Peter van Duijvendijk is a flood defense manager at the Schieland en de Krimpenerwaard water corporation, one of 21 such organizations covering the Netherlands that are responsible for issues including flood control. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026 Ask for the adjustment, set the timeline, and let fairness include you. — Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026 The Police Department also works with business partners, including private security companies, to address safety needs, according to Smith. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for include

Recent Examples of Synonyms for include

Verb

More than anything else, Murray said, general governmental dysfunction, including turnover among staff members involved in the negotiations, contributed to those delays.

— Sofi Zeman July 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026
The first stage focuses on meeting school community members, the second involves building an academics strategy, the third revolves around operations and finance and the final stage brings those steps together.

— Austin Horn July 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Definition of involve

Verb

Without those challenges, MLS has not necessarily made significant progress with its matches entirely housed on Apple.

— John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Fortunately, the design firm of Claesson Koivisto Rune overcame the obstacles, producing a triumph of Swedish style—a modest, minimalist, yet supremely comfortable property housed in two low, long buildings.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of house

Verb

Eden Housing plans to build a four- or five-story building containing 50 to 60 units of affordable housing for seniors at the site, said Charles Liuzzo, Eden’s director of real estate development.

— Theresa Clift July 29, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026
All told, the guiding strategic defense principle contained in the handbook tends to be reactive rather than proactive.

— Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of contain

Verb

The former patio has been enclosed to make a new dining room with windows facing the Cultural District.

— Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026
Two types of trams—open and enclosed, both free—get you within a 10-minute walk of most popular attractions, with pick-ups and drop-offs in or near three major parking lots.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026

Definition of enclose

Verb

Focus is primarily on what are known as soft kills, which encompass ways of stopping drones by signal interference or disruptions caused by external energy.

— Zita Ballinger Fletcher, Forbes.com, 30 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 encompass

Verb

That entailed creating a sizzle reel with a lot of flashy effects in hopes of convincing Universal to get behind the new budget and schedule.

— Geoffrey Bunting, IndieWire, 4 Aug. 2026
Asteroid mining is also mentioned as a potential opportunity, which would entail extracting metals and other critical resources from near-Earth and main-belt asteroids.

— Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of entail

Verb

To ensure the integrity of the mold, only high-quality clay is used and then encased in steel sleeves designed to withstand extreme pressure.

— Philipp Jenne, Fortune, 30 July 2026
Above the isolators, transfer girders measuring approximately 15 feet tall and 15 feet wide encase the original temple footings, merging the historic and modern foundation systems.

— William Jones, USA Today, 30 July 2026

Definition of encase

Browse Nearby Words

in clover

include

included

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“Include.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/include. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of include

verb

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