Synonyms of sum

sum 1 of 2

noun

ˈsəm 

1

as in total

a complete amount of something

the sum of human knowledge on that subject

Synonyms & Similar Words

• total
• totality
• whole
• aggregate
• full
• summation
• entirety
• sum total
• bulk
• grand total
• the whole shebang
• the whole nine yards
• the whole bit
• the whole kit and caboodle
• gross
• completeness
• cumulativeness
• comprehensiveness
• mass
• enchilada
• schmear
• lion's share

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• net

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

• summary
• outline
• summa
• sum-up
• rundown
• résumé
• synopsis
• précis
• inventory
• recapitulation
• recap
• summing-up
• summarization
• digest
• brief
• conspectus
• abstract
• encapsulation
• roundup
• capsule
• run-through
• epitome
• compendium
• breviary
• wrap-up
• shortening
• curtailment
• abbreviation
• condensation
• abridgment
• simplification
• compend
• streamlining
• reprise
• rehash
• conclusion
• epilogue

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expansion
• enlargement
• amplification
• supplement
• addendum

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

• height
• pinnacle
• culmination
• top
• zenith
• peak
• apex
• climax
• meridian
• crown
• summit
• crest
• highlight
• crescendo
• high-water mark
• apogee
• acme
• capstone
• noon
• head
• high noon
• tip-top
• ne plus ultra
• prime
• flood tide
• glory
• cap
• noontime
• ceiling
• extremity
• tip
• flower
• roof
• bloom
• vertex
• blossom
• high
• extreme
• heyday
• highspot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• bottom
• base
• foot
• minimum
• nadir
• rock bottom
• abyss

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

• essence
• root
• core
• heart
• kernel
• point
• gist
• meat
• net
• nucleus
• sum and substance
• bottom line
• pivot
• crux
• nub
• pith
• subject
• tenor
• centerpiece
• keynote
• bull's-eye
• the long and short
• theme
• substance
• nubbin
• meat and potatoes
• direction
• content
• body
• course
• drift
• proposition
• thesis
• hypothesis
• purport

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• add
• calculate
• total
• count
• cast (up)
• compute
• summate
• totalize
• number
• foot (up)
• put together
• tote (up)
• tot (up)
• table
• tabulate
• figure
• cipher
• tell
• tally
• work out
• enumerate
• reckon
• recompute
• refigure

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sum

Noun

When it was finalized in 1989, the divorce settlement is estimated to have cost $100 million—a sum that Spielberg reportedly found very hard to swallow. — Mathilde Engelmann, Vanity Fair, 27 Sep. 2026

This mission will bring Electron’s 2026 total to 15, with three other launches this year of Rocket Lab’s suborbital HASTE rocket rounding out the sum. — Josh Dinner, Space.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Verb

The premise was that anyone could review anything, and the collective judgment of the masses would sum to something useful. — Nirav Tolia, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

So, Caleb, just to sum it up, why has diesel gotten so expensive as the year’s gone on, and at a faster rate recently than regular gas? — Joel Feder, The Drive, 2 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing sum

• in sum
• sum (to or into)
• sum and substance
• sum total
• sum up