as in essence
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
didn't catch every word between them, but heard enough to get the gist of the conversation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gist
Audiences needn’t know the specifics of the film’s story — or the onslaught of cultural throwaway jokes — to get the narrative gist within the madness.
—
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026
The show’s gist isn’t unlike the shows that have come before it: After a rotation of dates in a sleepaway-camp-esque setting, pairs will start to form.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
If not, the basic gist: Buy a present (typically within a certain budget) and bring it, wrapped, to the big event.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2025
The general gist is that these things all work, but the effects are variable, personal, and context-specific.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gist
Frank Rizzo, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026
The show’s gist isn’t unlike the shows that have come before it: After a rotation of dates in a sleepaway-camp-esque setting, pairs will start to form.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
If not, the basic gist: Buy a present (typically within a certain budget) and bring it, wrapped, to the big event.
—Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 20 Nov. 2025
The general gist is that these things all work, but the effects are variable, personal, and context-specific.
—Alex Hutchinson, Outside, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gist
Noun
-
When the last vestiges of the classic-rock era finally fade, many of the moments that made up its truest essence will be impossible to explain to those who missed it.—
Brian Hiatt,
Rolling Stone,
14 June 2026
-
That's the essence of red zone chaos.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Keep a core of year-round basics, then rotate a few season-specific pieces in and out as the weather turns.—
Ryan Brennan,
Charlotte Observer,
19 June 2026
-
The home and core ranges reflected strong loyalty between these areas less than 258 miles apart.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Larger roots mean larger iris blooms and better plant vitality the following year.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
-
During a scene in the show toward the end, Hargitay's character roots through several boxes around her.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
After the road trip, Washington, then 73, stepped aside from his managerial duties indefinitely before undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery.—
Stephen J. Nesbitt,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
The findings, the latest in a growing body of research about the vaccine’s benefits for heart health, suggest such benefits observed in earlier studies have persisted for years.—
Daniel Wu,
Washington Post,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
The Spurs stayed cold, allowing the Knicks to tie the game on Brunson’s 40th point – a high layup off the top of the glass with Wembanyama on the bench.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
Brunson scored 13 consecutive points in the fourth quarter for the Knicks, who overcame double-digit deficits in all four of their victories against the Spurs.—
Tim Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Every kernel of corn, rye, wheat, and barley that goes into a Frey Ranch whiskey is grown on the ranch, the barley malted on-site, milled, mashed, distilled, aged, and bottled within the same property.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
-
Onion Onions may benefit from the same outer-layer removal principle that protects sweet corn kernels.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Allowing both the powerful side of Grange Shiraz and the elegance of La Chapelle Syrah to shine through, the combination of the two far exceeds the sum of its parts.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
17 June 2026
-
Both companies offer athletes discounted, lump-sum payments in exchange for the right to collect their future settlement distributions.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gist. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
