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
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Recent Examples of sum
Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2025
And given the provision of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which explicitly states that no nation can claim sovereignty over any celestial body, investing immense sums to inhabit naturally uninhabitable places such as the moon or Mars seems misplaced.
—James Cramer, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2025
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
As for how things are going, Serena summed it up in a recent Teen Vogue interview.
—Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sum
Noun
Meta is freezing its recruitment of artificial intelligence researchers and restructuring its AI team, an apparent setback after months of spending huge sums on big name hires.
—Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 21 Aug. 2025
And given the provision of the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which explicitly states that no nation can claim sovereignty over any celestial body, investing immense sums to inhabit naturally uninhabitable places such as the moon or Mars seems misplaced.
—James Cramer, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
Eminem, who has been a household name for decades at this point, eclipses that sum many times over.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
As for how things are going, Serena summed it up in a recent Teen Vogue interview.
—Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for sum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sum
Noun
-
Under the definition of GDP, exports are added, and imports are subtracted from the total because the former are considered a product of the national economy, and the latter are expenditures that aren’t domestic products.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
-
The totals included two new records, coinciding with a subsiding Middle Tennessee heat wave.—
Andy Humbles,
The Tennessean,
30 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The suit also alleges that the question that voters will see on their ballots (called a summary statement) and the language posted at polling places (called fair ballot language) are misleading and written to encourage voters to vote in favor of banning abortions.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
27 Aug. 2025
-
The chancellor voided the resolution in Wilson County Chancery Court on Aug. 26, and granted the plaintiffs' motion for summary judgement.—
Andy Humbles,
The Tennessean,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Consider height as well as flower color when pairing bulbs.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Along the Outer Banks, wave heights between 6 to 9 feet are possible.—
Daniel Peck,
ABC News,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This, in essence, is our second counterintuitive emotional intelligence strategy: Prioritizing the honesty of your message above all else.—
Kevin Kruse,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
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In essence, that’s the mission of every Katrina anniversary doc.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Elderflower plays nicely with the flavors in the cocktail, so adding a splash of elderflower liqueur or syrup is a really nice addition.—
Emily Cappiello,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
About five people die from venomous snake bites in the United States each year, the CDC added, warning that the number would be higher if those bitten did not seek medical treatment.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
USA Today,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In Canada, Banff National Park and Jasper National Park are in the path of totality, as well as Calgary and Edmonton.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
22 Aug. 2025
-
In every location along the path of the 2026 eclipse, partial totality will last about two hours, and full totality will last two minutes.—
Cassandra Brooklyn,
AFAR Media,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Not all of us will reach the pinnacle of being the biggest or the best or the most expensive.—
Mark Littler,
Forbes.com,
21 Aug. 2025
-
Not even Netflix could write a storybook ending Throughout the 2023 season, Netflix followed Jones and the Cowboys with the expectation that the Mike McCarthy-led 12-5 squad would finally reach the same pinnacle that the teams of the 1990s did.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Today it has been reimagined as a romantic hotel with Renaissance roots and a modern soul.—
Livia Hengel,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
-
Western poison ivy grows upright with no aerial roots.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sum. Accessed 2 Sep. 2025.
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