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
As the century moved on, the Times became a totem of middle-class culture and propriety.
—
Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
Selena has all but become a saint for millions of Latinos, a totem for modern American Latinidad.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025
Even in Los Angeles, where Teslas are as familiar as Fords and not primarily viewed as right-wing totems, this wasn’t the first time I’d been shouted at since the election.
—Andrew Moseman, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025
Modern art is also honoring Saint-Pierre with 32 giant totems created by Caribbean artists.
—Martinique Tourism Authority, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem
Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025
Selena has all but become a saint for millions of Latinos, a totem for modern American Latinidad.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025
Even in Los Angeles, where Teslas are as familiar as Fords and not primarily viewed as right-wing totems, this wasn’t the first time I’d been shouted at since the election.
—Andrew Moseman, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2025
Modern art is also honoring Saint-Pierre with 32 giant totems created by Caribbean artists.
—Martinique Tourism Authority, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totem
Noun
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John Brink, a Rand McNally cartographer, came up with a solution: Creating symbols for highways that were printed on the road maps and also put on signs attached to electrical and telephone poles along those roads.—
Ron Grossman,
Chicago Tribune,
1 June 2025
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In one respect, at least—as a symbol for present-day America—the vehicle really could not be improved.—
Glenn Adamson,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
Noun
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Compared to those debts, however, credit card debt can feel like an emblem of incautious spending, poor planning or bad budgeting.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
9 June 2025
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In the 19th century, Americans of color would take Haiti as an emblem of possibility, one that helped bolster pride and engender action.—
Time,
Time,
9 June 2025
Noun
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When Robinson dived the site again earlier this year, a second plate branded with the logo was found.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
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The State of Play logo on a blue background with the PlayStation button symbols.—
Oliver Brandt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 June 2025
Noun
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Johnson’s affinity for trick plays became a hallmark of the Lions offense.—
Sean Hammond,
Chicago Tribune,
5 June 2025
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For a brand rooted in legacy, innovation, and trust, generations of travelers worldwide can attest that durability is as much of a Samsonite hallmark as style is.—
Bobby Krivitsky,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
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One of the figures features Wednesday wearing her trademark black-and-white polka-dot dress with the disembodied hand, Thing, on her shoulder, while the other figure is of Wednesday wearing her Nevermore Academy uniform.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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The New York guard even drained one of her trademark one-legged runners, the shot that put her on the map during that finals series.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Totem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totem. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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