summarily

American  

[suh-mair-uh-lee, suhm-er-uh-] / səˈmɛər ə li, ˈsʌm ər ə- /

adverb

1. in a prompt or direct manner; immediately; straightaway.

2. without notice; precipitately.

   to be dismissed summarily from one's job.

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Etymology

Origin of summarily

First recorded in 1520–30; summary + -ly

Explanation

Whenever you do something summarily, you act without hesitating or even taking time to explain yourself. A strict babysitter might announce, "Bedtime!" and summarily flip off the lights and close the bedroom door. The adverb summarily describes things that are done in an abrupt, brief way, without any extra details. It's kind to explain to a job applicant why you're not hiring them, rather than summarily saying, "There's the door, goodbye." A related word is summary, meaning "brief," or "containing just the sum or substance." The Latin root, summa, means "whole or gist."

Example Sentences

Robbys and Robertos and the occasional Bobby don’t count; they have consciously and summarily rejected being called Bob.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 17, 2025

In “Los Mandados,” Fernández sings of how la migra beats up an immigrant who summarily sues them; “El Corrido de Los Mojados” plainly asks Americans, “If the mojados were to disappear/Who would you depend on?”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2025

Despite state law granting them the right to inspect such facilities without notice, they were summarily denied entry, told “safety concerns” prevented their visit.

From Salon • Jul. 23, 2025

The BBC has contacted the Syrian government and security forces about allegations of summarily killings and other violations.

From BBC • Jul. 18, 2025

He placed restrictions on what he would eat, created a list of potential visitors who’d be allowed to see him and another list of those who’d be summarily barred from entering his room.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• arbitrarily
• forthwith
• promptly
• swiftly