synopsis

noun

syn·​op·​sis sə-ˈnäp-səs 

plural synopses sə-ˈnäp-ˌsēz 

1

: a condensed statement or outline (as of a narrative or treatise) : abstract

2

: the abbreviated conjugation of a verb in one person only

Synonyms

• abstract
• breviary
• brief
• capsule
• conspectus
• digest
• encapsulation
• epitome
• inventory
• outline
• précis
• recap
• recapitulation
• résumé
• resume
• resumé
• roundup
• run-through
• rundown
• sum
• sum-up
• summa
• summarization
• summary
• summing-up
• wrap-up

Examples of synopsis in a Sentence

I don't need to know every little plot twist; just give me a synopsis of the movie.

Recent Examples on the Web

Elena is a reporter who discovers the fire was intentional, the synopsis runs. —John Hopewell, Variety, 14 Mar. 2025

Here's the official synopsis for Silent Hill f: Shimizu Hinako was living her life as an ordinary teenager. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025

As the synopsis reads, Season 2 finds Charlie back on the run with a ’70s twist. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 12 Mar. 2025

However, as the synopsis notes, 2019 was the start a very tumultuous period for Osbourne. —Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek, literally, comprehensive view, from synopsesthai to be going to see together, from syn- + opsesthai to be going to see — more at optic

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for synopsis

• arabidopsis
• phalaenopsis

Kids Definition

synopsis

noun

syn·​op·​sis sə-ˈnäp-səs 

plural synopses -ˈnäp-ˌsēz 

: a brief statement or outline (as of a story)