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 France Under-20 international’s ceiling is extremely high, though, which is why Newcastle have invested another sizeable sum in someone who has only just celebrated his 20th birthday. — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 2026 Half the sum will be covered by the actor and producer Tyler Perry, who also paid for the funeral, Sharpton noted. — ABC News, 22 July 2026
Verb
To sum that up, this is a moisturizer that both reduces and stops new signs of aging. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 2 July 2026 The late Bill Carr, a former Florida athletic director who was Houston’s AD when the SWC breakup began, once summed this up to me in a way that still sticks. — Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 1 July 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
  • Bertha is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches with isolated higher totals to 6 inches through Thursday along the central Gulf Coast from western Florida through southern Louisiana.
    — MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026
  • Counting signatures on a separate support letter written by non-STEM faculty, a total of about 3,300 professors are calling for a reinstatement of standardized testing.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 22 July 2026
Definition of total
Noun
  • That observation may be the clearest summary of Hawk’s philosophy.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Michigan didn’t put the entire Sherrone Moore scandal at Manuel’s feet, but the summary released by the university pointed to numerous issues that occurred on his watch, including a failure to respond quickly to allegations of misconduct.
    — Austin Meek, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of summary
Noun
  • In the fall, the flashy Waldorf Astoria Hotel & Residences, designed like a stack of nine askew cubes, will soar past to its final height of 1,049 feet.
    — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026
  • By the time Phaedra’s birthday dinner rolls around, the sound of Porsha sharpening her knives reaches its height.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Definition of height
Noun
  • That never crossed my mind before, but now in 2026, our reggaeton, our essence and our sound has become important in Mexico and even more so on a Latino level.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
  • But that all seems to funnel into these six tracks, mixing momentum and wisdom to arrive at the essence of the pedal steel—extreme highs, extreme lows, the expanse in between, out where life is lived.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026
Definition of essence
Verb
  • Iran has, in turn, expanded its target list across seven countries in the region, and official media outlets have suggested that major ports in Gulf Arab states may soon be added.
    — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • Tariff volatility has been an issue, particularly for brands and manufacturers over-reliant on China, while regulation continues to dampen progress around smart glasses owing to EU delays around AI compliance, Cazin adds.
    — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 20 July 2026
Definition of add
Noun
  • The totality of Clark’s effort made White react more like a fan than a coach.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 18 July 2026
  • The moon—hidden in the daytime sky until its silhouette cuts a narrow curve at the sun’s edge—slowly slides across the disk of our star toward totality, the time when the moon completely blocks the sun.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 17 July 2026
Definition of totality
Noun
  • To be a spectator at this summer’s FIFA World Cup—the pinnacle of the sport, which kicks off with group stages on June 11—could cost upward of $10,000 a ticket.
    — Michelle Tchea, Robb Report, 17 July 2026
  • Those in England will have to be content with the semi-final marking the pinnacle of the World Cup boom.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 16 July 2026
Definition of pinnacle
Noun
  • The Northernmost Tree For now, most commercial breadfruit groves are still setting root, leaving the growing to the same type of people who once introduced it to the region — the plant fanatics.
    — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Reforming Social Security by cutting benefits for rich people and raising them for poor people would make the most financial sense and return the program to its roots.
    — Marc Novicoff, The Atlantic, 24 July 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 26 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of sum for Spanish Speakers

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