1
as in absolute
having no exceptions or restrictions
had total power over the people of that country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in entire
not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it
gave us a total rundown of the events
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in thorough
trying all possibilities
this was total war as far as the military was concerned, and no weapons system was off-limits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sum
a complete amount of something
that's the total for our wheat harvest this year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to number
to have a total of
two and two total four
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to add
to combine (numbers) into a single sum
total all the receipts and tell me how much I owe you
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to ruin
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
a powerful hurricane totaled the house some years ago
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of total
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2026
In the official censure resolution document, Ko is stated to have been absent for 37 out of 57 total meetings since May 2023.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Sari Hitchins, Parents, 10 Mar. 2026
The agency says this penalty usually grows by five percent of the unpaid taxes for each month the return is missing, up to 25 percent of the total.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026
Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Relatives of the women reached a settlement totaling more than $32 million with the state, the city of Encinitas and coastal property owners.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for total
Adjective
The musician’s overall audience has grown by 50 percent on the streaming app over the same period, with total streams up 70 percent.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2026
In the official censure resolution document, Ko is stated to have been absent for 37 out of 57 total meetings since May 2023.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
Overall, the 33 total medals (won by any country) also set a record for a Winter Games held outside North America.
—Sari Hitchins, Parents, 10 Mar. 2026
The agency says this penalty usually grows by five percent of the unpaid taxes for each month the return is missing, up to 25 percent of the total.
—Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
The grant for the Woodland Street property was among 38 totaling $63 million spread out over 22 towns and cities in the state.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
Relatives of the women reached a settlement totaling more than $32 million with the state, the city of Encinitas and coastal property owners.
—Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for total
Recent Examples of Synonyms for total
Adjective
-
Expecting an absolute dogfight in this one, which is right up Hanover’s alley.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Just cultivating and just feeding that division and those just absolute silly fights.—
Ed Masley,
AZCentral.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In some cases, entire families sign up to record video, speech and images for AI training to supplement their income.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The entire company has been brought to a standstill.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings.—
Keith Caulfield,
Billboard,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Give it a thorough shake to help redistribute the feather fill.—
Emily Benda Gaylord,
The Spruce,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The purchase for an undisclosed sum is meant to boost Anduril’s capabilities in space domain awareness, battle management and fire control.—
Iris Kwok,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The 12-figure sum aims to expand and improve networks, workforce development and technological innovation.—
Victoria Baeza Garcia,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Rivian global workforce numbered 15,232 at the end of 2025, including a joint venture with VW, according to the annual report.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Five of them will be white balls numbered 1 to 69.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Struggling to get inside as easily as they were accustomed to, Jaliyah Diggs led Hopkins with 20 points; Walker added 14 points and nine rebounds.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Baylor Scheierman hit one to close the first quarter, Sam Hauser added two early in the second and Boston surged ahead.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The evening's historic tie almost gets totally ruined For only the seventh time in history, the Oscar vote ended in a tie.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For me, no beach vacation is complete without a fun, flirty, little slip tucked into an overstuffed suitcase.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Douse fires with a good amount of water and stir to ensure complete cooling.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Total.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/total. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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