Synonyms of summary

summary 1 of 2

noun

ˈsə-mə-rē 

as in outline

a short statement of the main points

many book reports choose to begin with a summary of the book

Synonyms & Similar Words

• outline
• brief
• summa
• digest
• sum
• inventory
• resume
• synopsis
• summarization
• précis
• recap
• rundown
• sum-up
• résumé
• recapitulation
• roundup
• summing-up
• resumé
• capsule
• conspectus
• encapsulation
• abstract
• run-through
• wrap-up
• conclusion
• breviary
• epilogue
• compendium
• epitome
• abridgement
• condensation
• abridgment
• curtailment
• abbreviation
• shortening
• simplification
• reprise
• compend
• rehash
• streamlining
• epilog

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• expansion
• enlargement
• amplification
• supplement
• addendum

summary

2 of 2

adjective

ˈsə-mə-rē 

as in concise

marked by the use of few words to convey much information or meaning

obviously a one-volume encyclopedia can offer only a very summary account of the American Civil War

Synonyms & Similar Words

• concise
• brief
• succinct
• short
• pithy
• terse
• telegraphic
• thumbnail
• blunt
• elliptic
• compendious
• curt
• epigrammatic
• monosyllabic
• aphoristic
• laconic
• sententious
• capsule
• compact
• condensed
• crisp
• apothegmatic
• abbreviated
• shortened
• elliptical
• abrupt
• meaningful
• abridged
• brusque
• substantial
• curtailed
• snippety
• meaty
• snippy
• brusk
• significant
• well-turned

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wordy
• rambling
• verbose
• diffuse
• prolix
• redundant
• circuitous
• repetitious
• windy
• enlarged
• tautological
• long-winded
• exaggerated
• circumlocutory
• expanded
• supplemented
• inflated
• tautologous
• embroidered
• pleonastic
• embellished

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective summary contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of summary are compendious, concise, laconic, pithy, succinct, and terse. While all these words mean "very brief in statement or expression," summary suggests the statement of main points with no elaboration or explanation.

a summary listing of the year's main events

When would compendious be a good substitute for summary?

The words compendious and summary are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, compendious applies to what is at once full in scope and brief and concise in treatment.

a compendious dictionary

When is concise a more appropriate choice than summary?

In some situations, the words concise and summary are roughly equivalent. However, concise suggests the removal of all that is superfluous or elaborative.

a concise description

When is it sensible to use laconic instead of summary?

While in some cases nearly identical to summary, laconic implies brevity to the point of seeming rude, indifferent, or mysterious.

an aloof and laconic stranger

How does the word pithy relate to other synonyms for summary?

Pithy adds to succinct or terse the implication of richness of meaning or substance.

a comedy sharpened by pithy one-liners

When might succinct be a better fit than summary?

The meanings of succinct and summary largely overlap; however, succinct implies the greatest possible compression.

a succinct letter of resignation

When can terse be used instead of summary?

The words terse and summary can be used in similar contexts, but terse implies pointed conciseness.

a terse reply

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of summary

Noun

The hydrophilic yarn and the reinforcement yarn are plied together, configured into that plurality of valleys, the patent summary reads. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 12 Aug. 2025

Nicholson, a recovering addict allegedly diagnosed with schizophrenia, has a history of mixing prescription medication with illicit substances, per the police report’s summary of Lawlor’s statements. —Danielle Bacher, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Adjective

Unlike traditional employee income, business income does not always come with summary tax forms like the W2 at the end of the year. —Vlad Rusz, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025

Deputy Attorney General Drew Ensign struggled to answer a barrage of Boasberg’s questions during a Thursday hearing in Washington’s federal court, home to a multi-week standoff over President Trump’s executive power to exert summary deportations in the name of national security. —David Catanese, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025