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total

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noun

total

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word total distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of total are all, entire, and whole. While all these words mean "including everything or everyone without exception," total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered.

the total number of people present

How does the word all relate to other synonyms for total?

All may equal whole, entire, or total.

all proceeds go to charity

When can entire be used instead of total?

In some situations, the words entire and total are roughly equivalent. However, entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added.

the entire population was wiped out

Where would whole be a reasonable alternative to total?

While in some cases nearly identical to total, whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away.

read the whole book

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of total
Adjective
As the first Egyptian astronaut—and the first Arab and African woman in space—her career has been shaped by brutally early mornings, periods of total isolation, and even digital detoxes from social media to toughen her mental focus. Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025 Dreamegg Sound Machine If hotel noises, traffic rumbles, or total silence keeps you from getting sleep, this compact sound machine may become your best travel companion. Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
Noun
Boise State was whistled for 10 offensive penalties for a total of 78 yards Saturday, and also committed three on defense for 34 yards. Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 4 Oct. 2025 The crew spent a total of 183 days in orbit, setting a new record for the longest continuous spaceflight by Chinese astronauts. Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
Consequently, holiday results which are typically totaled based on November and December selling, or the fourth quarter which runs from November through January, will be depleted. David Moin, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025 The office buildings, totaling 18,573-square-foot on Trade Street between North Myers and North Alexander streets, are home to several attorneys’ offices. Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for total
Recent Examples of Synonyms for total
Adjective
  • Get Down with Dinos For fans of quirky roadside attractions, a visit to Dinosaur Land in nearby White Post is an absolute must.
    Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Achieving a 34 percent reduction in absolute emissions from the company’s FY20 baseline.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The fact Nuno did not have the opportunity to work with his entire squad last summer — only two new additions had arrived in time to join the training camp in Portugal — played a role in the breakdown of his relationship with the Forest hierarchy.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • California made the most sense as a starting point because of its historic extended producer responsibility, or EPR, legislation—the first in the United States to hold textile producers liable for the cost of their products’ entire life cycle, including their diversion and disposal.
    Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
  • This study, which was published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine, was the most thorough deep dive into the biology of supercentenarians (people over 110 years), according to Esteller.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Those enormous sums of money flow to seemingly everyone except the student athletes.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The sum that borrowers need to repay depends on several factors, including how expensive the colleges are, and whether borrowers had enough savings to pay tuition up front.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Fortunately, the crowds numbered only in the hundreds.
    John E. Herbst, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Your job is to reassemble them into the original novel (unfortunately for you, the pages aren’t numbered).
    IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • MacLean added that Venezuelans with TPS who are currently in custody and lack any other form of protection will now face a serious risk of deportation.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Hershey’s Chocolate World also adds a layer of fall fun with trick-or-treating throughout the world’s largest candy store, character meet-and-greets, and new treats to try.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Don Sweeney, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2025
  • The jerky in particular has ruined me for all other beef jerky—so be forewarned the same might happen to you.
    Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • To watch Lipe-Smith’s Caroline cuddle in bed watching TV on her iPad, or bopping around to JoJo Siwa, or pensively finishing a Popsicle while sitting beside her grandmother at a museum, is to have the sheer malevolence of our current administration and its adherents thrown into sharp relief.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The sheer paucity of Russian resources, after three and a half years of war, may lead to a similarly ineffective response to any use of Tomahawks.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Total.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/total. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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