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 Heise, Pearce, Weber (HPW) Labor Market Tightness Index summarizes current wage pressures and forecasts near-term wage inflation based on the quits rate and job vacancies per job seeker. —Rachel Barber, USA Today, 9 Jan. 2026

However, the application must only include a 500-word description of the idea and an informal video that is no longer than three minutes summarizing the idea. —Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 8 Jan. 2026

As part of the rollout, an AI Overview tool similar to the one found on Google Search will summarize email threads. —Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026

Stories are summarized in a single sentence accompanied by a link for those seeking more information. —Joel Feder, The Drive, 8 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for summarize

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

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