as in to outline
to make into a short statement of the main points (as of a report)
the closing minute of the newscast summarizes the main story of the day
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of summarize
The auditor, Andy Hanau, sent the entire council a memo in December summarizing recent savings and efficiencies his office has generated.
—
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Use it to summarize lecture notes.
—Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
The department said in a statement that most of the incidents summarized in the report took place more than three years ago.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
In summarizing an accompanying letter from Marrone, the county’s fire chief, Hahn wrote if all the deer were gone, that would raise the risk of a severe fire.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for summarize
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
Use it to summarize lecture notes.
—Gerald Bradshaw, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
The department said in a statement that most of the incidents summarized in the report took place more than three years ago.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
In summarizing an accompanying letter from Marrone, the county’s fire chief, Hahn wrote if all the deer were gone, that would raise the risk of a severe fire.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for summarize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summarize
Verb
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Conversations focus on outlining options, trade‑offs, and longer‑term considerations in a manner that feels clear and manageable.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
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Decluttering expert Katy Wells outlines the top spaces that need attention and how to organize them.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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McVay said the team would give the players time to digest the season and decide what might be next.—
Gary Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
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Food digests more quickly and moves through your body easier, which soothes indigestion.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Summarize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summarize. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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