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

• abstract
• boil down
• brief
• digest
• encapsulate
• epitomize
• outline
• recap
• recapitulate
• reprise
• sum up
• synopsize
• wrap up

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

Among its tasks will be assisting with coding, acting as a translation tool and summarize complex documents for workers. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 24 June 2025

The Pandemic Greases the Wheels The evidence summarized in Karlin's fact sheet had been around for decades. —Liana Simstrom, NPR, 22 June 2025

These are sometimes the basic tasks that go to AI—summarizing information, intaking multiple sources and outputting the most relevant steps and crafting customer support emails. —Amy Friedrich, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

In our current reading regime, summarized or altered texts are the exception, not the rule. —Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 17 June 2025

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