synopsis

noun

syn·​op·​sis sə-ˈnäp-səs 

plural synopses sə-ˈnäp-ˌsēz 

1

: a condensed statement or outline (as of a narrative or treatise) : abstract

2

: the abbreviated conjugation of a verb in one person only

Synonyms

• abstract
• breviary
• brief
• capsule
• conspectus
• digest
• encapsulation
• epitome
• inventory
• outline
• précis
• recap
• recapitulation
• résumé
• resume
• resumé
• roundup
• run-through
• rundown
• sum
• sum-up
• summa
• summarization
• summary
• summing-up
• wrap-up

Examples of synopsis in a Sentence

I don't need to know every little plot twist; just give me a synopsis of the movie.

Recent Examples on the Web

The official synopsis for The Handmaid's Tale season six finale reads: June reflects on her experiences in Gilead and decides what to do next. —Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025

The synopsis reads: Prom season at Shadyside High is underway and the school’s wolfpack of It Girls is busy with its usual sweet and vicious campaigns for the crown. —Devonne Goode, Parents, 22 May 2025

The film centers on married couple Raoul (Isaac) and Alex (Stewart) who descend each evening from their luxury skyscraper condo and head into an electric nighttime realm of ’80s Los Angeles, per the official synopsis. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 22 May 2025

Souza lacks the art of in medias res and conveys his story as if merely illustrating a synopsis. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 20 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek, literally, comprehensive view, from synopsesthai to be going to see together, from syn- + opsesthai to be going to see — more at optic

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for synopsis

• arabidopsis
• phalaenopsis

Kids Definition

synopsis

noun

syn·​op·​sis sə-ˈnäp-səs 

plural synopses -ˈnäp-ˌsēz 

: a brief statement or outline (as of a story)