diff --git a/jrnl/args.py b/jrnl/args.py
index 53a77462e..436851822 100644
--- a/jrnl/args.py
+++ b/jrnl/args.py
@@ -265,6 +265,7 @@ def parse_args(args: list[str] = []) -> argparse.Namespace:
     reading.add_argument(
         "-contains",
         dest="contains",
+        action="append",
         metavar="TEXT",
         help="Show entries containing specific text (put quotes around text with "
         "spaces)",
diff --git a/jrnl/journals/Journal.py b/jrnl/journals/Journal.py
index d10548140..d7e9b0c0b 100644
--- a/jrnl/journals/Journal.py
+++ b/jrnl/journals/Journal.py
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@ def filter(
         exclude_starred=False,
         exclude_tagged=False,
         strict=False,
-        contains=None,
+        contains=[],
         exclude=[],
     ):
         """Removes all entries from the journal that don't match the filter.
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ def excluded(tags):
             return 0 < len([tag for tag in tags if tag in excluded_tags])
 
         if contains:
-            contains_lower = contains.casefold()
+            contains_lower = [substring.casefold() for substring in contains]
 
         # Create datetime object for comparison below
         # this approach allows various formats
@@ -298,8 +298,20 @@ def excluded(tags):
             and (
                 not contains
                 or (
-                    contains_lower in entry.title.casefold()
-                    or contains_lower in entry.body.casefold()
+                    strict
+                    and all(
+                        substring in entry.title.casefold()
+                        or substring in entry.body.casefold()
+                        for substring in contains_lower
+                    )
+                )
+                or (
+                    not strict
+                    and any(
+                        substring in entry.title.casefold()
+                        or substring in entry.body.casefold()
+                        for substring in contains_lower
+                    )
                 )
             )
         ]
diff --git a/tests/bdd/features/search.feature b/tests/bdd/features/search.feature
index 79e2a84e4..79ddf0871 100644
--- a/tests/bdd/features/search.feature
+++ b/tests/bdd/features/search.feature
@@ -86,6 +86,36 @@ Feature: Searching in a journal
         | basic_folder.yaml  |
         | basic_dayone.yaml  |
 
+    Scenario Outline: Multiple -contains returns entries that match any
+        Given we use the config "<config_file>"
+        When we run "jrnl -contains emojis -contains lorem --short"
+        Then we should get no error
+        And the output should contain "3 entries found"
+        And the output should be
+            2020-08-29 11:11 Entry the first.
+            2020-08-31 14:32 A second entry in what I hope to be a long series.
+            2020-09-24 09:14 The third entry finally after weeks without writing.
+
+        Examples: configs
+        | config_file   |
+        | basic_onefile.yaml |
+        | basic_folder.yaml  |
+        | basic_dayone.yaml  |
+
+    Scenario Outline: Multiple -contains with -and returns only entries that match all
+        Given we use the config "<config_file>"
+        When we run "jrnl -contains emojis -contains nulla -and --short"
+        Then we should get no error
+        And the output should contain "1 entry found"
+        And the output should be
+            2020-09-24 09:14 The third entry finally after weeks without writing.
+
+        Examples: configs
+        | config_file   |
+        | basic_onefile.yaml |
+        | basic_folder.yaml  |
+        | basic_dayone.yaml  |
+
     Scenario Outline: Searching for a string within tag results
         Given we use the config "<config_file>"
         When we run "jrnl @tagone -contains maybe"
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_parse_args.py b/tests/unit/test_parse_args.py
index e30360201..2e2d5cd64 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_parse_args.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_parse_args.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def test_empty():
 
 
 def test_contains_alone():
-    assert cli_as_dict("-contains whatever") == expected_args(contains="whatever")
+    assert cli_as_dict("-contains whatever") == expected_args(contains=["whatever"])
 
 
 def test_debug_alone():