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to capsulize

to capsulize

1 8.2
To put ideas or information into a short summary
  • verb
  • /ˈkæpsjʊˌlaɪz/
  • US
translation icon : resumir
  • Can you capsulize the article's main ideas in one paragraph?

Examples

  • In closing, I will capsulize them only briefly since they will, presumably, appear in the ensuing MENC publication in full.

    Academic text (1994)
  • It's almost impossible to capsulize the overwhelming amount of information I absorbed into this space, so I'll highlight what I see as the most salient points for Updraft.

    Blog text (20)
  • Well-known to all readers of Mandelstam, the bookcase constitutes a capsulized history of the Jewish enlightenment in Russia.

    Academic text (1991)
  • In her presentation, she will capsulize the main findings of the research into a few key points.

  • It's important to capsulize your argument clearly in the conclusion of your essay.

Synonyms

to sum up
vsto capsulize
156 3.3

Give the main points of a talk or text briefly

emphasizes overall shortening of ideas rather than only stating facts
to summarize
vsto capsulize
  • US
90 3.0

Present the main points of a text in a short, clear way

is more about making ideas short and condensed rather than only clear
to recap
vsto capsulize
38 3.4

To briefly repeat the main points

gives a short version without necessarily repeating earlier points
to condense
vsto capsulize
21 4.2

Make something shorter by removing unimportant details

covers shortening too but with emphasis on brief idea capture
to encapsulate
vsto capsulize
18 6.1

Express the main idea in a few words

focuses on shortening content more generally without stressing exact meaning preservation
to digest
vsto capsulize
6 4.1

To make long information shorter by giving its main points

is aimed more at compressing ideas broadly rather than only informing
to recapitulate
vsto capsulize
  • Formal
2 8.0

To briefly repeat the main points

summarizes without the specific sense of repeating points
to concentrate
vsto capsulize
1 4.0

To make writing or speech shorter and clearer

focuses on turning ideas into a compact brief rather than general reduction
to synopsize
vsto capsulize
1 6.4

To give a short summary of the main points

is focused more on tight condensation of ideas than on general overview
to capsule
vsto capsulize
6.7

To make a long text shorter by giving its main points

has identical meaning but is the alternate form used instead
to precis
vsto capsulize
8.0

To make a short summary of a text or speech

is more general and less tied to formal text summaries
to recondense
vsto capsulize
8.1

To make a text shorter again by removing extra words

refers to initial condensation rather than redoing a previous shortening

Antonyms

805 2.5

To grow larger in size, amount, or importance

79 4.2

To give more details or explain something more fully

How Concise

to truncate
8 7.0
to capsulize
  • US
1 8.2
to condense
21 4.2
to summarize
  • US
90 3.0
outline
59 2.7

Surface Forms

capsulize infinitive
capsulized past
capsulized past participle
capsulizing present participle
capsulizes third person singular

Morphology

capsulize = capsule (semi-transparent) = capsul + ize

The verb is formed regularly from 'capsul' + -ize, but the meaning 'summarize/condense' is a metaphorical extension of the container sense and may not be obvious to learners.

Etymology

Capsulize comes from capsule, which means 'small box'. So to capsulize an idea is like putting it into a small 'box' of words, making a short, tight summary.