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

Here’s the synopsis: The story of Dorrigo Evans, an army surgeon whose short but forbidden affair with his uncle's wife sustains and haunts him through his darkest days in a Thai-Burmese prisoner of war camp in WWII. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

The mystery series explores guilt and retribution, love and betrayal, and as an investigation unravels, so does the truth about how even the closest relationships can change over time, says a synopsis from the producers. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2025

In his synopsis for Time, Rubio expressed confidence in Machado’s enduring commitment to democratic change. —Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2025

The film’s synopsis reads: Waxman follows Detective Danny Murphy, whose desperate actions ignite a nightmare, culminating in the return of a vengeful serial killer after his death. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 15 Apr. 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)