sum 1 of 2

noun

ˈsəm How to pronounce sum (audio)
Definition of sumnext
1
as in total
a complete amount of something the sum of human knowledge on that subject

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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

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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

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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?

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sum

2 of 2

verb

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

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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 sum
Noun
This year, the gala raised a record-breaking sum of nearly $7 million for the museum’s programming. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 9 Nov. 2026 The world spends enormous sums on teachers, infrastructure, and enrollment drives. — MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Nov. 2026
Verb
To sum it up, Galactic Racer absolutely gets what Star Wars is about. — Hayes Madsen, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026 Fox praised the clean space and cold beer, while Wolski summed it up best with a laugh. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sum
  1. total
  2. summary
  3. height
  4. essence
  5. add
  6. totality
  7. pinnacle
  8. root
Noun
  • His points total broke a longstanding FHSAA state meet record in Saturday’s Class 4A championships meet at the Florida Aquatics Swimming Training (FAST) center in Ocala.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The question, posed during an on-court postgame interview, was when a young player stops measuring his performance by his point total and starts measuring it by the result.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of total
Noun
  • Later, she was charged with a DUI and ordered to 12 months of summary probation, including a three-month DUI class and must attend weekly meetings with her psychologist and twice-monthly visits with her psychiatrist.
    — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 2 Nov. 2026
  • An upcoming Siri Recap feature will be able to create summaries of conversations for later reference.
    — Sheena Vasani, The Verge, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of summary
Noun
  • Indeed, sea levels reached record heights — not seen in more than a century of observations.
    — Sean Greene, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • All clouds at heights where temperatures dip below freezing have the potential to create icing conditions, according to the FAA.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of height
Noun
  • Signature therapies incorporate local ingredients like virgin coconut oil, Caribbean sea salt scrubs, and tropical flower essences.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The movie’s essence is Chaucerian; the pacing is taut, jaunty, like a fairy tale, helped along by a twinkling score composed by Anna Meredith.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of essence
Verb
  • Gradey Dick and rookie Keaton Wagler each scored 15 points and Rui Hachimura added 14 as the Clippers won for the first time since getting past the Sacramento Kings in the season opener.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Jake Mannarino, a national champion diver who had not won a high school state championship before, can finally add that gold medal to his stack of accomplishments.
    — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of add
Noun
  • In Spain, the 12 August band of totality cut across the north of the country; the center line of the shadow passed within 11 kilometers of Pico Trigaza, promising Druckmüller and his colleagues a precious 107 seconds of totality.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Historical cloud cover is exceptionally low, while totality reaches around five and a half minutes near the centerline.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of totality
Noun
  • Since the start of his career, Bryan has had 26 songs scale the pinnacle of Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart.
    — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The Latino political firsts kept coming over the next 20 years, now reaching a pinnacle with Becerra’s win.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of pinnacle
Noun
  • Becoming the first Latino directly elected to California’s highest office is a distinction Becerra was reluctant to promote on the campaign trail, preferring instead to focus on his humble roots.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The root of Wilson’s resentment is that he was charmed by the pods version of Wilnie, who was temporarily free from real-life concerns and whose only job was to banter with him through a wall.
    — Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of root

Phrases Containing sum

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sultry
sum
sum and substance
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Cite this Entry

“Sum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sum. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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