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 next

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

The Shakopee Police Department responded to and provided summaries for the following incidents that occurred in the period of Jan. 9-15. —

Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 According to a summary of the conversation, the two leaders discussed the significance of deterrence in the South China Sea and strategies for bolstering the capabilities of the Philippine military. —

Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025

Adjective

April 3 — Ukraine discovers Russian atrocities in Bucha Russia's hasty retreat from Kyiv's suburbs revealed evidence of summary executions, beheadings, torture, rape, and other atrocities. —

Peter Weber, theweek, 14 May 2024 In 2020, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled ATF had to release some of the summary statistical information. —

John Kelly, CBS News, 16 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for summary

Recent Examples of Synonyms for summary

Noun

Simon planned the cabin, drawing the outline for the walls with a stick in the dirt.

— arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 25 Jan. 2025
His executive orders signed this week outline a sweeping agenda, from declaring an invasion at the border to ending birthright citizenship.

— Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025