summary 1 of 2

noun

ˈsə-mə-rē How to pronounce summary (audio)
Definition of summarynext
as in outline
a short statement of the main points many book reports choose to begin with a summary of the book

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

summary

2 of 2

adjective

ˈsə-mə-rē How to pronounce summary (audio)
as in concise
marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning obviously a one-volume encyclopedia can offer only a very summary account of the American Civil War

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective summary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of summary are compendious, concise, laconic, pithy, succinct, and terse. While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation.

a summary listing of the year's main events

When would compendious be a good substitute for summary?

The words compendious and summary are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment.

a compendious dictionary

When is concise a more appropriate choice than summary?

In some situations, the words concise and summary are roughly equivalent. However, concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

When is it sensible to use laconic instead of summary?

While in some cases nearly identical to summary, laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

How does the word pithy relate to other synonyms for summary?

Pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance.

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

When might succinct be a better fit than summary?

The meanings of succinct and summary largely overlap; however, succinct implies the greatest possible compression.

a succinct letter of resignation

When can terse be used instead of summary?

The words terse and summary can be used in similar contexts, but terse implies pointed conciseness.

a terse reply

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of summary
Noun
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. —Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025 The second individual was listed as Adil in Nasir's probable cause summary, and arrest documents have not been found at this time. —Riley Hoffman, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Human Rights Watch said M23’s efforts to consolidate control of Goma have involved possible war crimes, including the summary execution of civilians in February. —Michela Wrong, NBC news, 6 June 2025 Unlike traditional employee income, business income does not always come with summary tax forms like the W2 at the end of the year. —Vlad Rusz, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for summary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summary
  1. outline
  2. concise
  3. brief
  4. summa
  5. digest
  6. sum
  7. inventory
  8. resume
Noun
  • Here's an outline of some of those moral and ethical dilemmas that appear to be keeping Altman awake at night.
    — Dylan Butts, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Tillman wore a stunning all-white suit and bowtie, while Cumming sported a chic black suit accented with white outlines, and a giant pussybow tie.
    — James Factora, Them., 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of outline
Adjective
  • Clear Communication Professionals can improve their communication skills by being clear, concise and kind in their daily interactions.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Harnessing Technology the Right Way Mr. Espino has embraced artificial intelligence (AI), but with a focused strategy using concise and precise data.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
Definition of concise
Noun
  • The movie also had a brief, but successful, stint at the box office last month when Netflix released it in theaters for a two-day exhibition.
    — Conor Murray, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
  • Before long, Hagerty’s job at the Capital Journal had expanded — she was tasked with writing city briefs for the back page of the paper, and each day took her notebook around town putting together small local news items.
    — Hannah Shirley, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of brief
Noun
  • The painting is a mini summa of two key tendencies running through Shahn’s work: self-quotation and cheekiness.
    — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
  • Rabelais points out that there are oddities in the world that cannot fit into any classification scheme, more things in our heaven and earth than are dreamt of in either the medieval pretensions of the summa or the ambitious early modern bibliographic machines.
    — Brendan Fitzgerald, Longreads, 27 Dec. 2024
Definition of summa
Noun
  • Eating too much watermelon may cause bloating, stomach pain, or diarrhea due to its high amount of hard-to-digest sugar.
    — Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 18 Sep. 2025
  • This is the online edition of The Wiretap newsletter, your weekly digest of cybersecurity, internet privacy and surveillance news.
    — Thomas Brewster, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Definition of digest
Noun
  • In sum, tech companies build a walled garden, lock you in, throw away the key, let the plants die, and then charge you an extortionate rent to live among the rotting remains.
    — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Merrill formerly served as vice president of marketing for Honest Tea, which was sold to Coca-Cola in 2011 for an undisclosed sum (Coca-Cola discontinued the brand at the end of 2022).
    — Emma Sandler, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of sum
Noun
  • Begin with a simple inventory of your accounts and update your beneficiaries.
    — Larry Light, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
  • According to Fairweather, college towns could become cheaper for students, faculty, and staff members if more inventory becomes available.
    — Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of inventory
Noun
  • The secret sauce is Bell’s longtime friend Dashiell Driscoll, a comedy writer whose resume includes the After Midnight With Taylor Tomlinson and a run at Funny or Die.
    — Katie Bain, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Noah Lyles’ Journey To Sprint Dominance Getty Images The 28-year-old sprinter has an impressive resume.
    — Katelyn Hutchison, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Definition of resume

Browse Nearby Words

summarizing
summary
summate
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Cite this Entry

“Summary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summary. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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