35 Other Ways to Say “In Conclusion” (With Examples)

Whether writing a formal report or crafting a casual note for a friend, expressing yourself thoughtfully helps leave a lasting impression. Using alternatives to the phrase “In conclusion“ can add warmth and personality to your messages, making them feel more genuine, empathetic, and thoughtful. Let’s dive into 35 meaningful alternatives, each with its nuances, to help you communicate with care and intention.

What Does “In Conclusion” Mean?

The phrase, “In conclusion“, signals the final thoughts or a summary at the end of a discussion, presentation, or piece of writing. It’s typically used to transition from the main body of content to the closing statements. While it’s a useful phrase in formal contexts, it can sometimes feel formulaic or impersonal. Exploring alternatives gives you the flexibility to sound more conversational, insightful, or heartfelt, depending on the tone of the conversation.

When to Use “In Conclusion”

“In conclusion” is appropriate in formal settings, like academic writing, professional reports, or public speeches, where you need to signal the end of an argument or discussion. It’s used to wrap up your main points and provide a clear, final thought. However, in more informal or personal exchanges, using a different phrase might help you sound more approachable and engaging.

Is It Professional/Polite to Say “In Conclusion”?

Yes, “In conclusion“, is both professional and polite, especially in formal writing or presentations. It signals to the reader or audience that you’re about to summarize or provide final thoughts. However, in less formal contexts, such as casual conversations, using this phrase might come off as too stiff or rehearsed. In those cases, softer or more natural alternatives could make your communication feel more relatable.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Clear and direct: Works well in formal settings where clarity is key.
• Structured: This helps the reader or listener know the end is near, making your conclusion easier to follow.

Cons:

• Can be overly formal: Might sound stiff or unnatural in casual conversations.
• Overused: The phrase can feel cliched or predictable, lacking personality.

 In Conclusion synonyms:

• To Wrap Up
• To Sum Up
• In Short
• Ultimately
• To Conclude
• As a Final Point
• In Closing
• As I Wrap Up
• To Bring It All Together
• In the End
• As a Final Thought
• To Finish Off
• As We Draw to a Close
• In Retrospect
• To Bring It to a Close
• As a Last Note
• To Conclude With
• In Summary
• To End
• For Final Consideration
• In a Nutshell
• As We Close
• To Finish
• Before I Go
• Let Me Leave You With This
• To Bring It to an End
• For the Final Word
• With That Said
• In the Final Analysis
• To Summarize
• In Closing
• Before We Wrap Up
• All Things Considered
• To Recap
• In the End

To Wrap Up:

Meaning:
A friendly and approachable way to begin concluding a conversation or piece of writing.

Explanation:
To wrap up is an informal, yet professional phrase, ideal for casual or semi-formal situations signals that the discussion is drawing to a close.

Example:
To wrap up, I just want to say thank you for your hard work on this project.

Best Use:
When concluding a meeting or casual discussion.

Worst Use:
In very formal or academic settings.

Tone:
Friendly and informal.

To Sum Up:

Meaning:
A concise way to summarize the key points before ending.

Explanation:
To sum up, effectively highlights the most important takeawaysIt’s great for summarizing ideas in both casual and formal contexts.

Example:
To sum up, we’ve agreed on the new deadline and responsibilities.

Best Use:
When summarizing or concluding key points in a presentation or discussion.

Worst Use:
When no summary is needed.

Tone:
Clear and direct.

In Short

Meaning:
A quick way to introduce a succinct summary.

Explanation:
This phrase is useful when you need to condense your message into a brief, clear statement that adds a sense of finality without sounding too formal.

Example:
In short, we need to focus on improving team communication.

Best Use:
For short, informal conversations or writings.

Worst Use:
In more detailed, formal contexts.

Tone:
Casual and straightforward.

Ultimately

Meaning:
A phrase that signals the final decision or result.

Explanation:
Ultimately is used to emphasize the outcome after considering all pointsIt’s useful in both professional and personal settings.

Example:
Ultimately, it’s about ensuring we meet our customer’s needs.

Best Use:
When discussing the final decision or conclusion after careful consideration.

Worst Use:
When you need to leave room for further discussion.

Tone:
Reflective and decisive.

To Conclude

Meaning:
A straightforward, neutral phrase for concluding thoughts.

Explanation:
To conclude is often used in formal settings to mark the end of a presentation or writing as a direct signal that you’re wrapping things up.

Example:
To conclude, I would like to thank everyone for their participation today.

Best Use:
In professional, formal, or academic contexts.

Worst Use:
In casual conversations.

Tone:
Formal and respectful.

As a Final Point

Meaning:
Used to introduce the last piece of information.

Explanation:
This phrase is great for emphasizing one last thing before finishing a discussion.

Example:
As a final point, please ensure all reports are submitted by the end of the week.

Best Use:
When highlighting one last important detail.

Worst Use:
When you don’t have a last point to share.

Tone:
Clear and authoritative.

In Closing

Meaning:
Signals at the end of a discussion or presentation.

Explanation:
In closing is a classic formal alternative that provides a sense of finality often used in speeches, presentations, and professional writing.

Example:
In closing, I’d like to reiterate our key objectives for the next quarter.

Best Use:
In formal speeches or business meetings.

Worst Use:
In informal or casual contexts.

Tone:
Polite and professional.

As I Wrap Up

Meaning:
A more personal way to signal you’re nearing the end.

Explanation:
This phrase adds a conversational tone to a conclusion, ideal for casual meetings or discussions.

Example:
As I wrap up, I just want to thank everyone for their input.

Best Use:
In informal settings or friendly professional environments.

Worst Use:
In formal, academic writing.

Tone:
Personal and approachable.

To Bring It All Together

Meaning:
A phrase used to tie up various points into one final summary.

Explanation:
To bring it all together highlights the act of combining all key points into one cohesive conclusion.

Example:
To bring it all together, we’ve addressed the main issues and set a clear path forward.

Best Use:
When you’ve discussed multiple points that need summarizing.

Worst Use:
When you haven’t covered multiple points.

Tone:
Thoughtful and unifying.

In the End

Meaning:
Used to signify the conclusion or result after everything is considered.

Explanation:
In the end works well for summarizing a process or discussion with a focus on the final result or decision.

Example:
In the end, we need to adopt a new strategy to improve performance.

Best Use:
When reflecting on the outcome of a series of actions or decisions.

Worst Use:
In situations that are still open to interpretation or ongoing.

Tone:
Reflective and conclusive.

As a Final Thought

Meaning:
A softer way to introduce your final message.

Explanation:
This phrase adds a personal touch, making it a good choice for casual or heartfelt conclusions.

Example:
As a final thought, I’d like to say how grateful I am for everyone’s support during this project.

Best Use:
In discussions that require a more empathetic or personal ending.

Worst Use:
In very formal writing or situations requiring strict professionalism.

Tone:
Warm and personal.

To Finish Off

Meaning:
A casual way to signal the conclusion.

Explanation:
To finish off is informal and friendly, perfect for concluding less formal communications.

Example:
To finish off, let’s quickly review the action items for the week.

Best Use:
In team meetings or casual discussions.

Worst Use:
In formal reports or presentations.

Tone:
Casual and upbeat.

As We Draw to a Close

Meaning:
A phrase that gently signals the end of a discussion.

Explanation:
As we draw to a close is a softer, more reflective way to conclude, often used in discussions where you want to leave a lasting thought.

Example:
As we draw to a close, let’s take a moment to reflect on what we’ve accomplished.

Best Use:
In meetings or discussions where a thoughtful reflection is encouraged at the end.

Worst Use:
In fast-paced or strictly business-oriented environments where brevity is needed.

Tone:
Calm, reflective, and respectful.

In Retrospect

Meaning:
Used when looking back at the discussion or events.

Explanation:
In retrospect often carries a reflective tone, implying a look back to consider the bigger picture or key takeaways.

Example:
In retrospect, the decision to move forward with the new system was the right one.

Best Use:
When reviewing past actions or considering the outcome of a situation.

Worst Use:
When discussing immediate next steps or plans.

Tone:
Thoughtful and reflective.

To Bring It to a Close

Meaning:
Another phrase to signal the end of something.

Explanation:
To bring it to a close is a slightly more formal alternative to wrap up, suitable for both professional and personal situations.

Example:
To bring it to a close, I would like to thank everyone for their hard work.

Best Use:
In meetings, presentations, or reports where a formal conclusion is necessary.

Worst Use:
In casual, informal conversations.

Tone:
Formal and respectful.

As a Last Note

Meaning:
To emphasize the final important detail or thought.

Explanation:
A last note is a subtle way to signal your final words while highlighting an important point.

Example:
As a last note, don’t forget to submit your feedback by Friday.

Best Use:
When there’s one last crucial point to mention before finishing.

Worst Use:
When you don’t have anything significant to add.

Tone:
Polite and focused.

To Conclude With

Meaning:
A formal, clear way to indicate the last part of a discussion.

Explanation:
Similar to the conclusion, this phrase is suitable for professional, academic, or serious conversations.

Example:
To conclude, I’d like to emphasize the importance of teamwork in achieving our goals.

Best Use:
In formal speeches, academic papers, or professional presentations.

Worst Use:
In casual or informal conversations.

Tone:
Polished and formal.

In Summary

Meaning:
A concise way to review key points and conclude.

Explanation:
In summary is used to give a brief recap before finishing up, often followed by the main points or a final thought.

Example:
In summary, we discussed the major challenges and decided on a new strategy.

Best Use:
In reports, summaries, or when condensing a lot of information into a final thought.

Worst Use:
When there’s no need for a recap.

Tone:
Direct and concise.

To End

Meaning:
A straightforward way to signal closure.

Explanation:
To end is a simple, no-frills alternative to, “In conclusion“, best used when you want to cut to the chase.

Example:
To end, I’d like to express my appreciation for everyone’s contributions today.

Best Use:
In quick, informal conversations or emails.

Worst Use:
When a more formal or thoughtful conclusion is required.

Tone:
Straightforward and brief.

For Final Consideration

Meaning:
Used when suggesting one last thing before concluding.

Explanation:
For final consideration invite the audience to think about a point one last time before you finish.

Example:
For final consideration, I encourage you to consider the long-term impact of this decision.

Best Use:
In situations where you want to leave the audience with one more thing to think about.

Worst Use:
When you don’t want to add anything new at the conclusion.

Tone:
Thought-provoking and considerate.

In a Nutshell

Meaning:
A casual phrase for summarizing the main idea.

Explanation:
In a nutshell, is a colloquial way to give a quick summary or wrap up the discussion’s best used in informal settings.

Example:
In a nutshell, we need to improve our communication and streamline the process.

Best Use:
In casual conversations or when you want to quickly wrap up an informal discussion.

Worst Use:
In formal settings where professionalism is required.

Tone:
Informal and conversational.

As We Close

Meaning:
A warm way to indicate the conclusion.

Explanation:
As we close is a welcoming, gentle phrase to signal the end of a conversation, presentation, or meeting.

Example:
As we close, let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Best Use:
In meetings or group discussions where you want to wrap up in a friendly tone.

Worst Use:
When the context requires a more formal or direct ending.

Tone:
Warm and inclusive.

To Finish

Meaning:
A direct, clear way to signal the end.

Explanation:
To finish is simple and to the point, making it ideal for situations where brevity is key.

Example:
To finish, I’d like to reiterate the key takeaways from today’s session.

Best Use:
In quick conversations or when no further elaboration is needed.

Worst Use:
In situations that require a more formal or reflective conclusion.

Tone:
Brief and efficient.

Before I Go

Meaning:
A friendly and informal way to signal a final point.

Explanation:
Before I go is a casual phrase, often used when leaving a meeting, call, or conversation but wanting to add a final remark.

Example:
Before I go, let’s make sure we’re clear on the next steps.

Best Use:
In informal settings where you’re concluding a casual conversation.

Worst Use:
In formal reports or presentations.

Tone:
Casual and approachable.

Let Me Leave You With This

Meaning:
Used to introduce a final thought or message.

Explanation:
This phrase is often used when you want to end on a memorable or impactful note.

Example:
Let me leave you with this: always stay curious and open to new ideas.

Best Use:
When concluding a speech, presentation, or thoughtful conversation.

Worst Use:
When there’s no meaningful final thought to share.

Tone:
Inspiring and thoughtful.

To Bring It to an End

Meaning:
Another formal way to indicate you’re wrapping up.

Explanation:
This phrase is formal but still clear, making it suitable for professional presentations or meetings.

Example:
To bring it to an end, I’d like to thank everyone for their contributions.

Best Use:
In business or formal settings.

Worst Use:
In informal or casual conversations.

Tone:
Formal and structured.

For the Final Word

Meaning:
A phrase that introduces a closing statement.

Explanation:
For the final word signals that you’re about to share the concluding or most important thought.

Example:
For the final word, I’d like to say that we are committed to improving customer satisfaction.

Best Use:
When you want to leave a final, significant impression.

Worst Use:
When you have multiple conclusions or points to make.

Tone:
Authoritative and final.

With That Said

Meaning:
A transitional phrase that signals the conclusion of your argument or discussion.

Explanation:
With that said serves as a softer way to transition to your final thought or action.

Example:
With that said, let’s move forward with the plan we discussed.

Best Use:
When you want to smoothly transition to your final point.

Worst Use:
When you’re wrapping up without needing a transition.

Tone:
Casual and smooth.

In the Final Analysis

Meaning:
Used to reflect on the overall outcome.

Explanation:
The final analysis, suggests a deep reflection or consideration before concluding.

Example:
In the final analysis, we need to adapt to changing market trends.

Best Use:
In analytical discussions or debates.

Worst Use:
When you don’t need to deeply analyze or summarize.

Tone:
Thoughtful and analytical.

To Summarize

Meaning:
A straightforward and formal way to conclude.

Explanation:
To summarize is an efficient phrase to use when condensing information into a concise form.

Example:
To summarize, we’ve identified key opportunities for growth in the coming quarter.

Best Use:
When you need to recap multiple points in a clear, professional manner.

Worst Use:
In informal settings where you want to sound more conversational.

Tone:
Professional and direct.

In Closing

Meaning:
A polite and formal phrase that introduces your final thoughts.

Explanation:
Closing is a formal, courteous way to signal that you’re about to conclude and often leads to a final remark or summary.

Example:
In closing, I’d like to remind everyone about the importance of our next steps.

Best Use:
In speeches, formal reports, or presentations where professionalism is key.

Worst Use:
In casual or very brief conversations where simplicity is preferred.

Tone:
Formal and respectful.

Before We Wrap Up

Meaning:
A casual and friendly phrase is used to signal the nearing end of a discussion.

Explanation:
Before we wrap up invite the listener to hear your final thoughts or questions, adding a collaborative tone.

Example:
Before we wrap up, does anyone have any last-minute questions or comments?

Best Use:
In team meetings or informal discussions.

Worst Use:
In formal settings that require a more polished ending.

Tone:
Collaborative and approachable.

All Things Considered

Meaning:
A phrase indicating a thoughtful review before concluding.

Explanation:
All things considered often introduces a summary or conclusion that reflects a balanced view of the situation.

Example:
All things considered, we believe this is the most effective approach moving forward.

Best Use:
In situations where multiple factors need to be weighed before concluding.

Worst Use:
In cases where a quick, direct conclusion is preferred.

Tone:
Reflective and reasoned.

To Recap

Meaning:
A concise way to summarize and bring closure.

Explanation:
To recap is often used to summarize key points before wrapping up, especially after a lengthy discussion.

Example:
To recap, we’ve agreed on the next steps and assigned tasks accordingly.

Best Use:
In meetings, discussions, or presentations where key points need to be revisited.

Worst Use:
When you don’t need to summarize or recap anything.

Tone:
Efficient and clear.

In the End

Meaning:
A natural, often conversational way to signal the conclusion.

Explanation:
In the end can reflect both the conclusion of a discussion or the result of a process, with an emphasis on the outcome.

Example:
In the end, our goal is to ensure everyone is on the same page moving forward.

Best Use:
In casual conversations or when discussing the final result of a process.

Worst Use:
In highly formal settings where you need a more structured conclusion.

Tone:
Conversational and reflective.

Conclusion:

Finding the right way to say “In conclusion” allows you to communicate your final thoughts with care, warmth, and clarity. Whether you’re closing a formal report, wrapping up a casual conversation, or summarizing a presentation, choosing an alternative phrase can make your conclusion feel more personal, impactful, and meaningful.