summarize

verb

sum·​ma·​rize ˈsə-mə-ˌrīz 

summarized; summarizing

transitive verb

: to tell in or reduce to a summary

intransitive verb

: to make a summary

summarizable

ˌsə-mə-ˈrī-zə-bəl 

adjective

summarizer noun

Synonyms of summarize

• outline
• digest

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

The premise is too convoluted to summarize here, but the point Murakami was making was one of beauty in abstraction. — Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026

Studies summarized by the site point to possible effects on depression, anxiety and stress, as well as attention and memory. — Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026

He’s credited among authors of a medical journal report summarizing a 2025 conference on cardiopulmonary resuscitation. — Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

The judge spent much of the day summarizing the evidence for the jury, going through each charge in detail. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for summarize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

summarize

verb

sum·​ma·​rize ˈsəm-ə-ˌrīz 

summarized; summarizing

1

: to tell in or reduce to a summary

2

: to make a summary

summarizable

ˌsəm-ə-ˈrī-zə-bəl 

adjective

summarizer noun