1
as in total
a complete amount of something
the sum of human knowledge on that subject
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in summary
a short statement of the main points
the district attorney delivered a sum of the evidence against the accused that was simply staggering
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in height
the highest part or point
he declared that he had reached the sum of joy when his newborn daughter was laid in his arms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in essence
the central part or aspect of something under consideration
the sum of the issue is: who will pay for this?
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to add
to combine (numbers) into a single sum
can sum figures in his head faster than I can punch them into a calculator
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of sum
Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
Fans who endured long lines to get in with the extra security measures in place — and some who paid five-figure sums for the chance to do so — were treated to a back-and-forth game as the NBA Finals returned to Madison Square Garden for the first time in 27 years.
—Brian Mahoney, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026
Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
That about sums it up nicely, song.
—Glen Weldon, NPR, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sum
Noun
At Kyles Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Oak Park, Baker donated a significant sum to build a kitchen named in honor of Royster’s mother, who had been kind to Baker’s own mother.
—Sacbee.com, 9 June 2026
Fans who endured long lines to get in with the extra security measures in place — and some who paid five-figure sums for the chance to do so — were treated to a back-and-forth game as the NBA Finals returned to Madison Square Garden for the first time in 27 years.
—Brian Mahoney, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2026
Verb
Higgo summed it up in a way many of us can relate to in all walks of life.
—Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
That about sums it up nicely, song.
—Glen Weldon, NPR, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sum
Noun
-
The Registrar has counted a total of 2,212,124 ballots for the primary election.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
10 June 2026
-
Kane, during the 2025-26 season, scored 36 goals for Bayern Munich in 31 Bundesliga matches, 14 in 13 UEFA Champions League games, a total of 60 goals for the club plus another nine for England.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Chapter 101 of Florida Statutes limits a ballot summary to 75 words.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 June 2026
-
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Swells on Tuesday led to beach hazard warnings across Southern California, along with high wave heights and rip currents, the National Weather Service warned.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
-
Barry had been appointed in April 2020, at the height of pandemic uncertainty, when stay-at-home orders made foot traffic to brick-and-mortar retailers like Best Buy nearly impossible.—
Liz Elting,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
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
Verb
-
Emrick adds that the county hopes all power is restored by the end of the day or as early as Sunday.—
Kaicey Baylor,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
Colorado added $30 million to that pot several years ago.—
Allen Best,
Denver Post,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Eclipse chasers will travel to the path in droves, keen to witness a relatively short but ultimately dramatic totality.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
13 June 2026
-
For those who live outside the eclipse’s path, the ESA will share a livestream of totality from Spain’s Astrophysical Observatory of Javalambre in Teruel.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Bharathiraja earned the honorific Iyakkunar Imayam – pinnacle of directors.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 June 2026
-
In her post-race press conference, Shiffrin spoke movingly about reaching the pinnacle without her father, Jeff, who died in an accident in his home in 2020.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
The 36-year-old entrepreneur from Stanford, Connecticut, moved to Mexico City last year to reconnect with the roots of his late grandparents.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
12 June 2026
-
Jason Momoa, who was born in Hawaii, was photographed helping Lola arrange traditional colorful Hawaiian garlands, the leis, a tribute to her roots.—
Monica Coviello,
Vanity Fair,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sum. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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