as in symbol
a device, design, or figure used as an identifying mark
the bald eagle, that universally recognized totem of our country
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of totem
The vishaps’ consistent ties to water sources, their polished surfaces and their precise placement in harsh alpine zones point to a widespread belief system in which water itself was sacred and required such totems of appreciation.
—
New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2025
Among the totems, knickknacks, and ephemera in Will Shortz’s home-cum-museum, and one of his favorite items, is a copy of the 1924 book inscribed by Dick Simon and Max Schuster, sent to its source of inspiration.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
This time, everyone remains on the couch and passes around a doll named Eve as a permission-to-speak totem.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2025
But for a city break with all the totems of winter, Boston more than delivers.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem
New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2025
Among the totems, knickknacks, and ephemera in Will Shortz’s home-cum-museum, and one of his favorite items, is a copy of the 1924 book inscribed by Dick Simon and Max Schuster, sent to its source of inspiration.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
This time, everyone remains on the couch and passes around a doll named Eve as a permission-to-speak totem.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2025
But for a city break with all the totems of winter, Boston more than delivers.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totem
Noun
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Guthrie wore a sunny yellow dress, reminiscent of the yellow flowers and ribbons placed by loved ones at her mother’s home — symbols of hope for a missing person.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2026
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For students, Sister Marguerite's presence goes far beyond a symbol.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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This emblem of spring can be just as beautiful here in the US, with cherry blossom festivals and events celebrating the fleeting pink and white blooms all this month.—
Adele Chapin,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 Apr. 2026
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The hood has an obsidian black finish and is topped off with a classic Mercedes Benz stand up chrome hood emblem.—
Tony Leopardo,
Mercury News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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These licenses give Fanatics/Topps the rights to use the intellectual property of the respective soccer federations — their names, logos, crests that appear on uniforms and uniform designs — on trading cards and stickers.—
Larry Holder,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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The mailbox stand bears the logo of Pan Am, one of the airport employers Alonso had before retiring.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony is a hallmark of every Holy Week, a period of worship in Christianity leading up to Easter Sunday.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
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The Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony is a hallmark of every Holy Week and recalls the foot-washing Jesus performed on his 12 apostles at The Last Supper together before he was crucified.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Totem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totem. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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