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
The vertices of the triangles, which meet at the corners (also called vertices), must have an angle sum of 360 degrees. — Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 1 Sep. 2026 Illinois’ chunk of that multistate settlement is certainly a tidy sum that could help chip away at Chicago Public Schools’ budget woes. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
Allocations for years 1 through 5 were summed, representing 2021 through 2025. — Aneri Pattani — Kff Health News, STAT, 27 Aug. 2026 The solution, as ever, is collaboration and aptly, Balfe sums it up with an 80’s movie reference. — Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 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
  • Forecasters said Edouard is expected to produce rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches, with maximum totals up to 9 inches, for parts of the Upper Texas coast inland through east-central Texas.
    — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • By the end of the night, Chicago had nine in total as part of a 17-3 rout that cemented August 2026 as one for the record books for the North Siders.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of total
Noun
  • The memo provides a summary of the agreement between Google and Entergy, as well as summaries of testimony provided by Entergy officials in support of the contract.
    — Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026
  • The letter from Blumenthal and an accompanying summary of the whistleblower’s statements says the Postal Service began work on the portal on June 15 and stopped on June 25 after Talwani’s initial order.
    — Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of summary
Noun
  • The zoning change would be necessary to build a development of that scale because local zoning guidelines for the downtown area cap building heights at four stories.
    — Alexandra Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Now, 15 years later, Cook has catapulted the company to stratospheric heights by forging his own path.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of height
Noun
  • To experience a thicker, chewier noodle, order the tsukemen (dipping-style ramen) with a broth, as dense as gravy, fusing the essences of pork, chicken and fish.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Ahead, scroll on to find five cozy colors that the nail pros say perfectly capture the essence of fall.
    — Jennifer Hussein, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of essence
Verb
  • Deposition systems add extremely thin layers of material onto a silicon wafer.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Randal Grichuk started the eighth inning with a home run and Kyle Teel added a three-run blast later in the inning for the White Sox.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of add
Noun
  • And for the totality of actions between September 2024 and February 2025, the county accused Myers of felony stalking.
    — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Each Grace represented one aspect of this virtuous cycle, and in their totality, an ideal for society to aspire toward.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of totality
Noun
  • The performances made history as the biggest ever open-air concerts in the UK (the crowd numbered 125,000 both days) and are often cited as representing the pinnacle of the Britpop era.
    — Devinder Bains, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The line, which belongs to the near-unanimous greatest player of all time and is still widely considered to be the pinnacle of signature athletic footwear, has fallen out of favor with hoopers, and the data backs it up.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of pinnacle
Noun
  • Kérastase’s Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo can help, balancing a deep cleanse with density-boosting (and hydrating) ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and gluco-peptides, to plump the cuticle and reduce breakage from root-to-tip.
    — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Having a healthy lawn means managing soil conditions for the roots, mowing properly, and strengthening the density of the grass by overseeding.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of root

Phrases Containing sum

Browse Nearby Words

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 8 Sep. 2026.

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