amount to

phrasal verb

amounted to; amounting to; amounts to
1
: to produce (a total) when added together
The bill amounted to 10 dollars.
The number of people taking part amounted to no more than a few hundred.
2
: to be the same in meaning or effect as (something)
acts that amount to treason
Anything less than total victory would amount to failure/failing.

Examples of amount to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Dropping the criminal charges against Adams amounted to a political perversion of the justice system. Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025 What amounted to Acosta's first full season in the majors also proved to be his last. Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025 The carriages have long been scrutinized for what critics say amounts to inhumane treatment of horses and safety issues for cab drivers and bystanders, especially when a thousand-pound animal gets spooked and charges. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 20 Sep. 2025 Mangione’s lawyers contend the simultaneous prosecutions amount to double jeopardy. Jason Ma, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amount to

Cite this Entry

“Amount to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amount%20to. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!