SUMMARY Synonyms: 102 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

summary 1 of 2

noun

ˈsə-mə-rē

Definition of summary

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

However, the meeting summary did not show when the hike would occur – only that a stable labor market and persistently higher prices would likely lead to a second hike this year. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026 In a world where an internet search or an AI summary promises an instant answer, there is something seductive about an investigation that requires touching the evidence. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Adjective

The young man risked beatings that would end in summary execution for sneaking in extra food to prisoners who were supposed to be the empire’s work-and-starve-to-death slaves. — Charles Pellegrino, Rolling Stone, 6 Aug. 2025 Human Rights Watch said M23’s efforts to consolidate control of Goma have involved possible war crimes, including the summary execution of civilians in February. — Michela Wrong, NBC news, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for summary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for summary

Noun

These are perfect negatives of the original objects, sometimes so detailed that the outlines of wood cells are visible under a microscope.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026
As with the Loran diagram, Lichtenstein’s painting turns Madame Cézanne into a black outline, with letters and arrows diagramming her husband’s compositional choices.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of outline

Noun

With the appeal now filed, the next steps are expected to include briefs, possible oral arguments and a decision on whether to grant a stay of the injunction.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
Bonta has instead joined amicus briefs in eight lawsuits against prediction markets.

— Scott Lebar. Story produced with AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of brief

Noun

The stage was set for the Fourth, whose five movements add up to a summa of Bartók’s art, by turns tenaciously labored, sinuously swirling, nocturnally eerie, pizzicato-punchy, and flat-out wild.

— Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
Alas, Dostoevsky — all of whose major characters clearly embody aspects of his own extremist personality — died in 1881, shortly after completing this summa of his most deeply felt themes and obsessions.

— Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 24 Aug. 2023

Definition of summa

Noun

Here’s a quick digest of the top stories making headlines across the 305.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
How Somatic Sleep Protocols Work Somatic sleep protocols are body-first routines built to move the nervous system out of fight-or-flight and into rest-and-digest before bed.

— Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of digest

Noun

Here, the seller advances a sum of money to the buyer’s lender, which then reduces the buyer’s mortgage rate for a certain period, usually a year or two.

— Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026
Some companies are loath to spend large sums of money on new equipment when there are no tangible benefits or savings.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of sum

Noun

The Newburys want to build the Estates at 100 Oakland on about 32 acres north of Route 30, and contend the project would give South Windsor an important expansion of its housing inventory.

— Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026
DataFuelX, a company led by former TV-sales executives is launching DFX Marketplace, a new way for advertisers to connect to commercial inventory across multiple publishers with a single point of entry.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of inventory

Noun

According to a synopsis from Hallmark, the movie — which filmed in Chicago over the summer — follows a freelance reporter who returns home to Chicago for some holiday downtime with her family before her next assignment.

— Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
Any quick synopsis of what else is happening in your professional life?

— Chris Willman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of synopsis

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summarizing

summary

summate

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“Summary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/summary. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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