summarize

verb

sum·​ma·​rize ˈsə-mə-ˌrīz 

summarized; summarizing

transitive verb

: to tell in or reduce to a summary

intransitive verb

: to make a summary

summarizable

ˌsə-mə-ˈrī-zə-bəl 

adjective

summarizer noun

Synonyms

• abstract
• boil down
• brief
• digest
• encapsulate
• epitomize
• outline
• recap
• recapitulate
• reprise
• sum up
• synopsize
• wrap up

Examples of summarize in a Sentence

I would like to take a moment to summarize the facts that I presented earlier.

He summarized by saying we needed better planning and implementation.

To summarize, we need better schools.

Recent Examples on the Web

Grande then tried to summarize what went awry in the interview. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 7 Dec. 2024

Buried in the thousands of pages of medical records, correspondence and memos that build the hospital’s case against Weiner is a single sheet that summarizes the dying moments of seven people. —J. David McSwane, ProPublica, 7 Dec. 2024

For example, the same foundational model could write an email, analyze an image, and even summarize a video—all with impressive accuracy. —Sandy Carter, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

This content was summarized by generative artificial intelligence using public filings retrieved from SEC.gov. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 5 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

summarize

verb

sum·​ma·​rize ˈsəm-ə-ˌrīz 

summarized; summarizing

1

: to tell in or reduce to a summary

2

: to make a summary

summarizable

ˌsəm-ə-ˈrī-zə-bəl 

adjective

summarizer noun