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
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Recent Examples of sum
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
What many people don’t realize is that the academic subject of mathematics is not about doing quick sums and subtractions in your head.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 26 May 2026
Glen Weldon, NPR, 14 May 2026
That's about the way to sum it up.
—Will Lennon, ABC News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sum
Noun
That sum is composed of both pure purchases and equivalent units made out of the nearly half-billion plays its songs racked up on platforms such as Apple Music and Spotify during its first week of availability, though the majority of that sizable figure comes from streaming activity.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
What many people don’t realize is that the academic subject of mathematics is not about doing quick sums and subtractions in your head.
—Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 26 May 2026
Verb
That about sums it up nicely, song.
—Glen Weldon, NPR, 14 May 2026
That's about the way to sum it up.
—Will Lennon, ABC News, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sum
Noun
-
According to researchers Global Witness, Colombia is the most dangerous nation in the world for environmental defenders generally, with 79 murders in 2023, just under half the global total.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
Live results will be updated here throughout the night as counties report vote totals.—
Aaron A. Bedoya,
USA Today,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.—
Jeff Rosen,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
-
The 192-page document, written by Paul Rivera, a Democratic consultant unaffiliated with the Biden and Harris campaigns, lacks key sections, including a conclusion and an executive summary.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
This helped accommodate patients who could not, or chose not to, be seen in person at the height of covid transmission.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
While Star City hasn’t quite yet reached the heights of its predecessor, the five hours (of eight) sent to critics satisfy as both a companion series and one capable of standing all on its own.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
Capturing that essence is a VIP area that sits at the heart of the new emporium.—
Ming Liu,
Robb Report,
24 May 2026
-
Martin Filler The Met’s new Tristan und Isolde was a vocal triumph for Lise Davidsen and Michael Spyres, but Yuval Sharon’s staging only fitfully captured the essence of Wagner’s masterpiece.—
The New York Review of Books,
The New York Review of Books,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
The outlier in my everflowing makeup bag is a skin care-like formula that adds a noticeable glow and blurring effect—smoothing big pores and all.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
24 May 2026
-
Private nuclear startups offer a different path entirely, one built on factory production, private financing and deployable designs that add new supply without forcing ratepayers to absorb the risk.—
Iulia Lupse,
Sun Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
No, Ware wouldn’t be the totality of a Heat package for Giannis, likely less coveted than say a Heat package of picks, or even the leading man from elsewhere (Jaylen Brown from the Celtics, Alperen Sengun from the Rockets, perhaps Paolo Banchero from the Magic).—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
23 May 2026
-
The path of totality crosses parts of the Westfjords, Snæfellsnes peninsula and Reykjanes peninsula, while Reykjavik itself will also experience totality.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Complex, intricate, and at all times realistic and humane, Famous Men is the pinnacle of the attempt to capture this specific and yet, all too universal, formative experience of enmeshment, devotion, and ego-death.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
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But many riders from far less opulent backgrounds have reached the pinnacle of the sport.—
Danielle Rossingh,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Maintain an even supply of moisture to reduce stress on the plant, and water at the roots with a drip hose instead of overhead watering to avoid spreading disease.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
-
According to legend, the pithiviers has its roots in the first century, when Gauls combined local flour with almonds brought by Roman traders.—
Jen Rose Smith,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sum. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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