as in to summarize
to make into a short statement of the main points (as of a report)
the discussion of the problem can be boiled down to a couple of critical points
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Recent Examples of boil down
For its adherents, the sport always boils down to calculations of risk.
—
Sacbee.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Cheesy comparisons aside, the reason chefs are responsible for their own knives boils down to subjective preferences and comfort.
—Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Feb. 2026
Solving a problem on a computer always boils down to transforming numerical inputs, usually written as strings of 0s and 1s, into outputs.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 17 Feb. 2026
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is an amalgam of Hollywood archetypes, the essence of a big-screen hero boiled down and maybe left on the stove too long.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for boil down
Sacbee.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Cheesy comparisons aside, the reason chefs are responsible for their own knives boils down to subjective preferences and comfort.
—Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Feb. 2026
Solving a problem on a computer always boils down to transforming numerical inputs, usually written as strings of 0s and 1s, into outputs.
—Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 17 Feb. 2026
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is an amalgam of Hollywood archetypes, the essence of a big-screen hero boiled down and maybe left on the stove too long.
—Alex Galbraith, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for boil down
Recent Examples of Synonyms for boil down
Verb
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There is no need to summarize the report.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
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Goldberg said, summarizing why her name appears alongside Behar's in the documents.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Abel, who succeeded Warren Buffett as CEO at the start of 2026, used the letter to outline a clear framework of foundational values centered on financial strength and disciplined investing.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
1 Mar. 2026
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The bill outlines that to become a member of the Indiana National Guard military police force the adjutant general will make sure the members have security clearance and no felony convictions.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Boil down.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/boil%20down. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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