1
as in total
a complete amount of something
the sum of human knowledge on that subject
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in summary
a short statement of the main points
the district attorney delivered a sum of the evidence against the accused that was simply staggering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in height
the highest part or point
he declared that he had reached the sum of joy when his newborn daughter was laid in his arms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in essence
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
the sum of the issue is: who will pay for this?
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to add
to combine (numbers) into a single sum
can sum figures in his head faster than I can punch them into a calculator
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sum
Pablo Maurer, New York Times, 2 June 2025
If the borrowers can’t pay back the sum in time and don’t come to some kind of agreement with the Royals’ affiliate who bought the loan, that would open up a pathway for the Royals to possibly gain control of the property and consider building a stadium at the site.
—Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 22 May 2025
Trailing 1-0, nothing summed it up so well as Harry Maguire masquerading as a forward again, a Hail Mary that can only work so often.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sum
Noun
That sum grows as teams advance through the tournament, with teams earning $2 million for every win and $1 million for a draw.
—Pablo Maurer, New York Times, 2 June 2025
If the borrowers can’t pay back the sum in time and don’t come to some kind of agreement with the Royals’ affiliate who bought the loan, that would open up a pathway for the Royals to possibly gain control of the property and consider building a stadium at the site.
—Taylor O’Connor, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
Verb
Mishra sums it up by saying that nobody outside of India gets the concept of caste (without denying that privileged upper caste Indians don’t get it either).
—Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 22 May 2025
Trailing 1-0, nothing summed it up so well as Harry Maguire masquerading as a forward again, a Hail Mary that can only work so often.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sum
Noun
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Putting it into grim context, 2024’s total of 80,391 fatalities are still above pre-pandemic levels.—
Jackie Siegel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2025
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In Asia, China brought in $3.91 million, with South Korea, Hong Kong and others adding to the total.—
Jamie Lang,
Variety,
6 June 2025
Noun
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The firm can, however, use it to extract relevant points from contracts, create summaries of relevant prior case law, and flag up risks.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
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The Massachusetts Family Institute highlighted in a summary of a legislative hearing held earlier this month that 59 of 70 people had testified in opposition to the bills that look to increase vaccination requirements and reporting standards.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
16 June 2025
Noun
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The attack comes as tensions have reached new heights over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program.—
Jon Gambrell,
Christian Science Monitor,
13 June 2025
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Originally approved by the Florida Legislature in 2023, the Live Local Act allows mixed-use projects in commercial and industrial districts to exceed limits on local density and height zoning rules so long as developers set aside 40 percent of residential units for workforce housing.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2025
Noun
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That really captured the essence of the dark ages and the medieval world.—
Joshua Lamb,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Quotable Time is of the essence for these students.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
3 June 2025
Verb
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By landing Bane, the Magic add a sharpshooter who addresses one of Orlando’s biggest needs on the court.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 June 2025
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The attack on Iran was supposed to occur in April but it was postponed, Netanyahu added.—
Rebecca Rosman,
NPR,
15 June 2025
Noun
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But, for now, the totality of the economic data isn’t expected to draw out Federal Reserve policymakers from their monthslong stint as wallflowers, economists say.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
11 June 2025
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Her career spans over three decades as both an unmatched practitioner of theater and a transformative cultural figure, redefining what’s possible on the stage for women, for Black artists, and for the totality of American theater.—
Ime Ekpo,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Noun
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The new Compton High School, which will open this fall, stands as a pinnacle example: Teachers will not have their own classrooms — but will conduct classes in various spaces depending on topic and availability.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2025
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However, Stone’s stand at the Woodstock Art & Music Festival in Bethel, N.Y., that August marked what was probably the triumphant pinnacle of the group’s career.—
Chris Morris,
Variety,
9 June 2025
Noun
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The root of omakase is creativity, and to that end, there’s also a whole lot of uniqueness of concept found even within the omakase realm – and for fans of omakase, there’s some incredible bucket-list experiences that must be enjoyed.—
Aly Walansky,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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To remove invasive vines, cut them back to the ground, dig out roots when possible, and apply herbicide directly to fresh cuts with care—never spray near desirable plants.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
14 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sum. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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