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
• inventory
• précis
• recapitulation
• digest
• summarization
• recap
• summing-up
• 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

Enthusiasts for capitalism see prosperity as a positive-sum enterprise generated through cooperation. — Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026

That sum of money, for him, is simply a yardstick for the prominence of his image and his desire for admiration. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 8 July 2026

Verb

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

Because colonization can precede infection, one patient may count as both a screening case and, later, a clinical case, so the two totals overlap and cannot be summed. — John Drake, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Phrases Containing sum

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