as in to summarize
to make into a short statement of the main points (as of a report)
the discussion of the problem can be boiled down to a couple of critical points
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Recent Examples of boil down
As sugar is processed, the juice from sugarcane or sugar beets is boiled down, and molasses is what's left behind.
—
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
This boils down to how the AI law opts to define AI.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
This could boil down to Sam Darnold versus Matthew Stafford.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Like a lot of messy divorces, this started with a wandering eye, a lover scorned and boils down to the money.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for boil down
Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2026
This boils down to how the AI law opts to define AI.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
This could boil down to Sam Darnold versus Matthew Stafford.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026
Like a lot of messy divorces, this started with a wandering eye, a lover scorned and boils down to the money.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for boil down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boil down
Verb
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Use it to summarize lecture notes.—
Gerald Bradshaw,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
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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
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
Cite this Entry
“Boil down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boil%20down. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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