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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sum
Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 3 July 2025
An analysis finds that a critical group of U.S. employers would face a direct cost of $82.3 billion from President Donald Trump’s current tariff plans, a sum that could be potentially managed through price hikes, layoffs, hiring freezes or lower profit margins.
—Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2025
Caroline Framke, Vulture, 13 June 2025
To sum it up: this lump of aluminum is very good at cosplaying as its sturdy diesel predecessor.
—Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sum
Noun
As part of the agreement, the company will pay $16 million, including Trump's legal fees, with most of the sum going to the president's future presidential library.
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 3 July 2025
An analysis finds that a critical group of U.S. employers would face a direct cost of $82.3 billion from President Donald Trump’s current tariff plans, a sum that could be potentially managed through price hikes, layoffs, hiring freezes or lower profit margins.
—Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2025
Verb
Each meal really does a great job of summing each chef up, both in terms of their food and their time on this show.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 13 June 2025
To sum it up: this lump of aluminum is very good at cosplaying as its sturdy diesel predecessor.
—Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for sum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sum
Noun
-
Starboard has taken a total of 158 prior activist campaigns in its history and has an average return of 22.34% versus 13.18% for the Russell 2000 over the same period.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
12 July 2025
-
More than one in five Floridians — nearly 5 million in total — are 65 or older.—
Michelle Flowers,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in the Miami Herald newsroom.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
10 July 2025
-
That includes Call Notes (an automatic summary of your phone call), and support for the Pixel Screenshots app.—
Julian Chokkattu,
Wired News,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
The river reached its second-highest height on record, surpassing a 1987 flood level, according to the National Weather Service.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
7 July 2025
-
Chambray may be a humble fabric, but 100 Hands has elevated it to new heights with its Iced Washed Japanese Chambray Shirt.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Given that it is supposed to be a raw, honest re-telling of a couple finding light amid disaster, The Observer report called the very essence of the book into question.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
11 July 2025
-
In essence, branding is making that special impression that brings customers back again and again.—
Jon Stojan,
Freep.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
That’s essentially what DevaCurl’s Volume + Boost Curl Cream does, as it’s meant to add more volume to fine hair from the roots.—
Danielle Jackson,
Glamour,
9 July 2025
-
Government leaders in the U.K. are set to add a provision to employee-rights legislation that would ban the use of non-disclosure agreements by employers to silence victims of workplace harassment.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
This region has an excellent chance of clear skies for a totality of 1 minute, 35 seconds.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
4 July 2025
-
But the real star of the show for Dunhill was the totality of their SS26 collection, with each piece being both wearable and so well situated into the overall thematics of this show.—
Brett F. Braley-Palko,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Young reached the pinnacle of success in high school at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Calif.—he was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year in 2020—and in college at Alabama.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
7 July 2025
-
That said, James Cameron's epic reaches the pinnacle of disaster-movie impudence with the distasteful suggestion that the most celebrated tragedy of the 20th century occurred because a few lookouts were distracted by Kate and Leo sucking face.—
EW Staff Published,
EW.com,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
And don’t let its age fool you: while the hotel feels connected to its roots, there’s nothing stuffy or antiquated about it.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
8 July 2025
-
The roots of stargazing date back centuries to ancient civilizations like the Babylonians and Egyptians who practiced stargazing for navigation, agriculture and religious purposes.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sum. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share