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

From time to time, Li Shan would offer Noe a sum impressive to a fisherman to sail his lugger—a forty-foot vessel made for the shallower waters of home into the Gulf to meet a ship bound for New Orleans. — Literary Hub, 16 July 2026

China's financial system has been central to Beijing's tech and industrial ambitions, marshaling vast sums into strategic sectors, such as electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 16 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

Phrases Containing sum

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