summarize

verb

sum·​ma·​rize ˈsə-mə-ˌrīz How to pronounce summarize (audio)
summarized; summarizing
Synonyms of summarize

transitive verb

: to tell in or reduce to a summary

intransitive verb

: to make a summary
summarizable
ˌsə-mə-ˈrī-zə-bəl How to pronounce summarize (audio)
adjective
summarizer noun

Synonyms of summarize

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Examples of summarize in a Sentence

I would like to take a moment to summarize the facts that I presented earlier. He summarized by saying we needed better planning and implementation. To summarize, we need better schools.
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.
Ask them to summarize themselves in a few paragraphs, and the task suddenly feels much harder. — Matthew Kayser updated July 6, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026 Government workers can use Claude to draft and summarize documents, analyze information and do other tasks. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 The property experience, the digital experience and the value proposition all become searchable, summarized and compared. — Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 The governor announced an agreement with the AI company that allows state agencies to use the technology to analyze information, draft and summarize documents and improve services. — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for summarize

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of summarize was in 1832

Rhymes for summarize

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Browse Nearby Words

summarization
summarize
summary
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Cite this Entry

“Summarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/summarize. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

summarize

verb
sum·​ma·​rize ˈsəm-ə-ˌrīz How to pronounce summarize (audio)
summarized; summarizing
1
: to tell in or reduce to a summary
2
: to make a summary
summarizable
ˌsəm-ə-ˈrī-zə-bəl How to pronounce summarize (audio)
adjective
summarizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on summarize

Nglish: Translation of summarize for Spanish Speakers

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