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.
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Recent Examples of sum
Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
The cash option is a one-time, lump-sum payment equal to all the cash in the jackpot prize pool.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The headline for this review summed it up—this 18-year-old bourbon is better than Pappy Van Winkle 23.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sum
Noun
Under the deal, Priscilla received a $1 million lump-sum payment off the top of Lisa Marie’s $25 million life insurance policy.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Sep. 2025
The cash option is a one-time, lump-sum payment equal to all the cash in the jackpot prize pool.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Out of 70 Slacks discussing the news, here are 13 reactions that summed it all up.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The headline for this review summed it up—this 18-year-old bourbon is better than Pappy Van Winkle 23.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sum
Noun
-
New Mexico’s defense has given up an average of 419 yards per game in 2025, a total of 95 yards more than the 324 UCLA’s offense has averaged.—
Data Skrive,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The Cultural, Artistic and Musical Programming Advisory Council received a total of 48 applications from qualified groups for the 2026 budget cycle, according to the three-year awards report.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
That's the general summary of the argument insider Robert Murray of FanSided made on Monday, when suggesting that the slugger could ditch Philadelphia for one of his former clubs.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Both products can also provide summaries of text conversations in threads and channels.—
John Brandon,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Heeled mules are the ideal way to take both your style and your feet (literally) to new heights.—
Amber Cardullo,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Recently, however, both teams have elevated themselves to greater heights.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
These metres break you down to your essence.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The bad news is that time is of the essence.—
Daniel Klein,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Ladd McConkey added six catches for 74 yards.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
After a major measles resurgence began in 1989, scientists moved to add a second dose of the MMR vaccine to bolster protection—but the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC’s vaccine-advisory panel disagreed on the optimal time to administer it.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Consistent with the totality of circumstances approach, the memorandum states that USCIS will look for evidence of genuine rehabilitation for individuals who have transgressions.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
As the moon slipped into the deepest part of our planet's shadow — a period known as totality — a phenomenon known as Rayleigh scattering saw the moon adopt a bloody red hue, as sunlight scattered by Earth's atmosphere was bent onto the lunar surface.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Knowing Thursday could be the pinnacle at Ballhalla this season only made the moment more savory.—
Marcus Thompson II,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Aston Martin has, as noted, pushed its cars decidedly upmarket, and this pinnacle offering now competes, in price and power, directly with vehicles such as the $504,000 Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider while coming in well above the Bentley Continental GTC, which starts at $336,000.—
Brett Berk,
Robb Report,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For example, most types of turfgrass have short roots, and soil samples from lawns only need to be dug to a depth of 4 inches.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The roots of my family tree are firmly established in the soil of Great Britain.—
Elizabeth Bass Parman,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sum. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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