summarily
gb/səmˈɛɹɪli/ us/səmˈɛɹɪli/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
formal
C1
property
1
abruptly, without due process
quickly and firmly, without giving someone a full chance to explain
Usage pattern:
summarily [dismiss/reject/deny/fire] [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use it as if it meant simply “briefly”; this sense is more about being abrupt or not following a full process.
Synonyms
abruptly (Focuses on suddenness, not necessarily lack of procedure.)
|
unceremoniously (Emphasizes lack of politeness or formality.)
|
peremptorily (Stronger; suggests an authoritative, commanding refusal.)
Antonyms
after due process (With the full formal steps and a fair hearing.)
|
carefully (With consideration and attention to detail.)
Collocations
summarily dismissed
|summarily rejected
|summarily denied
|summarily fired
|summarily removed
|summarily overruled
|summarily refused
|summarily expelled
|summarily punished
|summarily dealt with
Themes
work
|law
|communication
Examples
- The manager summarily fired him after the argument, without any investigation.
- The judge summarily rejected the claim because it had no legal basis.
- Her suggestion was summarily dismissed before she could explain it.
Learner examples
- My request was summarily denied.
- He was summarily dismissed from his job.
adverb
formal
C1
property
2
immediately, without delay
right away; at once
Usage pattern:
summarily [do something]
Common mistake:
This meaning is less common than the “abruptly/without a hearing” meaning, and it can sound formal in everyday speech.
Synonyms
immediately (Neutral and very common in everyday English.)
|
promptly (Suggests quickness in response to something.)
Antonyms
eventually (Happening after some time, not right away.)
|
gradually (Happening slowly over time.)
Collocations
summarily dispose of
|summarily return
|summarily deal with
|summarily decide
|summarily end
Themes
time
Examples
- When the alarm sounded, the building was summarily evacuated.
- The committee summarily ended the meeting when the vote was completed.
Learner examples
- The police acted summarily.
- She summarily closed the door.
adverb
formal
B2
property
3
briefly; in summary
in a short way; briefly
Usage pattern:
put [something] summarily
Common mistake:
Learners may prefer “in summary” or “briefly,” which are more common in conversation.
Synonyms
briefly (Most common everyday choice.)
|
concisely (Emphasizes using few words without losing meaning.)
Antonyms
in detail (With many details rather than a short summary.)
|
at length (For a long time or with much explanation.)
Collocations
to put it summarily
|summarily stated
|summarily described
|summarily outlined
Themes
communication
|writing
Examples
- To put it summarily, the plan failed because it was underfunded.
- The report summarily describes the main findings in the first paragraph.
- She summarily outlined the steps and moved on to questions.
Learner examples
- He explained it summarily.
- Summarily, the project was a success.
adverb
legal
C1
rule
4
using summary legal procedure
in court, using a quicker legal process
Usage pattern:
be summarily [tried/convicted]
Synonyms
by summary procedure (More explicit legal wording.)
Antonyms
by jury trial (Involving a full trial with a jury.)
|
after a full hearing (With full courtroom procedure and argument.)
Collocations
summarily convicted
|summarily tried
|summarily dealt with
|summarily punishable
Themes
law
Examples
- Minor offences may be summarily tried in a magistrates’ court.
- He was summarily convicted and fined.
- The judge ruled that the matter should not be summarily decided.
Grammar
Dictionary form
summarily
IPA
GB/səmˈɛɹɪli/
US/səmˈɛɹɪli/
Syllables & stress
sum - mar - ily (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (mar)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: summarily
- Plural: summarilies
Expressions
summarily deny
1/səmˈɛɹɪli dɪnˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
formal
deny without a full review
to refuse something immediately, without reviewing it fully
Examples
- The insurer summarily denied the claim, citing a missing document.
- The judge summarily denied the motion as untimely.
- Her request for an extension was summarily denied.
summarily dismiss
1/səmˈɛɹɪli dɪsmˈɪs/
fixed phrase
formal
dismiss without a full hearing
to refuse or end something immediately without discussing it fully
Examples
- The court summarily dismissed the lawsuit for lack of evidence.
- She summarily dismissed his explanation as nonsense.
- The company summarily dismissed the employee after the incident.
summarily execute
1/səmˈɛɹɪli ˈɛksɪkjˌut/
fixed phrase
formal
kill without a trial
to be killed without a trial
Examples
- Witnesses said the prisoners were summarily executed after being captured.
- The report alleges that civilians were summarily executed by the militia.
summarily reject
1/səmˈɛɹɪli ɹɪd͡ʒˈɛkt/
fixed phrase
formal
reject without full consideration
to say “no” right away without considering it much
Examples
- The committee summarily rejected the proposal as too expensive.
- His application was summarily rejected because it was incomplete.
- The judge summarily rejected the defence argument.