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summary

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adjective

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

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 summary
Noun
According to the fundraiser summary, Conover was engaged. Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 7 July 2025 The most obvious summary of the situation is the goal tally. Michael Cox, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Adjective
Ukraine is investigating more than 150,000 possible war crimes committed by Russia, including the summary execution of prisoners and targeted aerial strikes against civilians. David Faris, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025 He is accused of acting as the de facto leader of the Davao Death Squad, a group that was responsible for summary executions and the murder or disappearance of more than 1,000 people in and around the city. Lisandro Claudio, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for summary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for summary
Noun
  • Both the former president and former first lady shared the same photo showing an outline of the two of them alongside Malia watching fireworks.
    Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 4 July 2025
  • Documents released last month about the approval of Moderna's new COVID-19 vaccine for only seniors ages 65 and older and others with at least one underlying condition down to age 12 outline a rationale similar to the one Prasad used in his decision about the Novavax shot.
    Nicole Brown Chau, CBS News, 3 July 2025
Adjective
  • The Journal Sentinel aims to provide both in-depth investigative journalism and quick, concise news updates.
    Greg Borowski, jsonline.com, 11 July 2025
  • Solution: The first step is to establish a concise cyber risk governance committee charter, a high-trust document that outlines the committee's responsibilities, authority, composition and decision-making boundaries.
    Phillimon Zongo, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • June 12, 2007: Must-see J.V.’s no-no A brief aside on this game: The Free Press had a lot of extra staff at this game.
    Ryan Ford, Freep.com, 11 July 2025
  • Every court that has considered the laws has ruled against them, according to a Supreme Court brief filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, which represents the challengers.
    Jay Weaver July 9, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • The painting is a mini summa of two key tendencies running through Shahn’s work: self-quotation and cheekiness.
    Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 24 June 2025
  • Rabelais points out that there are oddities in the world that cannot fit into any classification scheme, more things in our heaven and earth than are dreamt of in either the medieval pretensions of the summa or the ambitious early modern bibliographic machines.
    Brendan Fitzgerald, Longreads, 27 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Now read the latest Apple headlines impacting the iPhone 16e in Forbes’ weekly smartphone news digest...
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
  • Now read more about the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Google’s latest Android updates in Forbes’ weekly smartphone news digest...
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • But just like the dollars that will stay in many taxpayers' pockets and add $3.8 trillion to the national debt, there are large sums for industry packed into the 870-page law, making several winners and losers.
    Jim Sergent, USA Today, 11 July 2025
  • That goes against the agreement to transfer money, but Allam, to this point, has not pushed the issue, and those sums effectively stand as an interest-free loan.
    Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 10 July 2025
Noun
  • Across Europe and the U.S., customers snapped up deals, even as some complained about limited inventory and underwhelming discounts.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 8 July 2025
  • But eventually that pre-tariff inventory will run out, raising the risk that price hikes are still on the way.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • However, that motion was denied, meaning Melly will remain in custody until the legal proceedings resume next year.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 15 July 2025
  • Taking the time to notice such needs can allow students to develop a summer job that not only benefits their resume, but makes a tangible difference in their communities.
    Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Summary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summary. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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