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
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Recent Examples of sum
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
His rhetoric has helped sustain one of the fastest cash burns of any startup in history, relying on partners that have borrowed vast sums.
—Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
These two categories do not sum to 100% because both factors could be present in an accident.
—Missy Cummings, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sum
Noun
Americans rightfully expect smart use of our tax dollars, not wasting enormous sums on frivolous, extravagant and absolutely unnecessary projects as a ballroom.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Apr. 2026
His rhetoric has helped sustain one of the fastest cash burns of any startup in history, relying on partners that have borrowed vast sums.
—Ronan Farrow, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
The sequences after the game summed it up, from the embrace with Erik Spoelstra, being showered courtside by teammates, the moments with Micky Arison and Nick Arison on the opposite end of the sideline, and then the interaction with Pat Riley in the hallway leading to the locker room.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026
These two categories do not sum to 100% because both factors could be present in an accident.
—Missy Cummings, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sum
Noun
-
Brooklyn also forced five more turnovers, and Liddell kept stacking points, adding five more in the quarter to take his total to a career-high 17 points in his first 15 minutes alone.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The two entered having played together in only 17 games this season, for a total of 249 minutes.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The summary is usually ready within seconds after the appointment ends.—
Katherine Ruppelt,
Miami Herald,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Check out your summary of benefits for more details.—
Jackie Fortiér,
NPR,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Noah Baumbach reached new heights with this bittersweet examination of a relationship in the aftermath of a breaking point.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
-
This building has a diameter of 80 feet and a height of 100 feet.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the final few years, my dad somehow kept his essence.—
Ashley Parker,
The Atlantic,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The true essence of it for me and the program is there has to be a level of connectivity to make up for the lack of things other people may have.—
Brian Robin,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Chopped nuts would add nice crunch.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Rickard Rakell has scored 10 goals and added three assists over the last 10 games.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But the totality of the cap hits between this year and next year would’ve been the same.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Emotions rose as the fleeting phase of totality continued to ebb away with the moon lost from sight behind a veil of clouds.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Losing his grip Even with his career at its pinnacle and before his back became chronically balky, Woods found his way onto tabloid headlines.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Madison Square Park Tower represents the pinnacle of New York living.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The fish fry traces its roots back to 2021, when Robinson, founder of The Applesauce Group, a nonprofit that works to empower historically excluded communities, began hosting small gatherings during the uncertainty of the pandemic.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
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What’s more, onions and other alliums have natural antibacterial properties that may inhibit the nitrogen-fixing bacteria on the roots of legume plants.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sum. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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