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

If someone pushes for a decision, summarize agreement and set a short follow-up, letting the open question breathe without stress. — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026

The impossible-to-summarize plot follows multiple sets of characters over the course of three (very, very eventful) days. — David Faris, TheWeek, 10 Aug. 2026

Someone might use the model to translate, summarize, or edit existing work. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026

In one case, several systems worked on a problem in parallel, one cheated outright, and the system assigned to summarize their work did not flag it. — Craig S. Smith, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 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