Synonyms of total

total 1 of 3

adjective

ˈtō-tᵊl 

1

as in absolute

having no exceptions or restrictions

had total power over the people of that country

Synonyms & Similar Words

• absolute
• complete
• sheer
• utter
• unconditional
• pure
• simple
• definite
• outright
• perfect
• real
• damn
• huge
• unmitigated
• very
• damned
• profound
• unadulterated
• categorical
• regular
• endless
• deadly
• thoroughgoing
• constant
• thorough
• blank
• downright
• unqualified
• rank
• dreadful
• fair
• crashing
• consummate
• all-out
• stark
• genuine
• clean
• plumb
• out-and-out
• flat-out
• straight-out
• flat
• dead
• perpetual
• unalloyed
• eternal
• arrant
• blooming
• bodacious
• stone
• extreme
• veritable
• horrible
• terrible
• authentic
• main
• classic
• unrestricted
• supreme
• unremitting
• undying
• extraordinary
• hopeless
• habitual
• confirmed
• terrific
• superlative
• inveterate
• surpassing
• frightful

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uncertain
• restricted
• doubtful
• questionable
• qualified
• dubious
• equivocal

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

• entire
• whole
• complete
• full
• comprehensive
• perfect
• grand
• integral
• intact
• plenary
• maximal
• extensive
• compleat
• uncut
• unabridged
• exhaustive
• undiminished
• full-on
• full-scale
• all-out
• full-blown
• full-out
• full-fledged
• full-bore
• full-blooded

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• partial
• incomplete
• imperfect
• cut
• reduced
• diminished
• abbreviated
• abridged

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

• thorough
• complete
• extensive
• comprehensive
• sweeping
• exhaustive
• full-scale
• thoroughgoing
• systematic
• all-out
• out-and-out
• clean
• wide
• general
• global
• inclusive
• broad
• methodical
• far-reaching
• in-depth
• wide-ranging
• unrestrained
• no-holds-barred
• unhampered

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• random
• haphazard
• aimless
• desultory
• superficial
• limited
• cursory
• shallow
• restricted
• narrow
• hit-or-miss
• slipshod

total

2 of 3

noun

as in sum

a complete amount of something

that's the total for our wheat harvest this year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sum
• totality
• full
• whole
• aggregate
• summation
• sum total
• bulk
• grand total
• entirety
• the whole bit
• the whole shebang
• the whole nine yards
• the whole kit and caboodle
• gross
• completeness
• comprehensiveness
• cumulativeness
• mass
• enchilada
• schmear
• lion's share

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• net

total

3 of 3

verb

1

as in to number

to have a total of

two and two total four

Synonyms & Similar Words

• number
• average
• aggregate
• count (up to)
• sum (to or into)
• comprise
• amount (to)
• come (to)
• reach
• add up (to)
• measure
• constitute
• clock in at
• equal
• make up
• compose

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

• add
• sum
• count
• calculate
• number
• cast (up)
• compute
• totalize
• summate
• put together
• foot (up)
• tote (up)
• tot (up)
• table
• tabulate
• tally
• figure
• cipher
• work out
• tell
• reckon
• enumerate
• recompute
• refigure

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

• ruin
• destroy
• wreck
• shatter
• demolish
• devastate
• waste
• damage
• smash
• overcome
• tear down
• cream
• annihilate
• decimate
• pull down
• desolate
• rub out
• vaporize
• extinguish
• mar
• erode
• defeat
• cripple
• best
• pulverize
• crush
• blast
• break
• ravage
• kill
• wrack
• nuke
• raze
• master
• remove
• dismantle
• rout
• spoil
• do in
• injure
• conquer
• subdue
• harm
• impair
• prevail (over)
• triumph (over)
• lick
• trim
• sack
• havoc
• sweep (away)
• slaughter
• win (against)
• eradicate
• surmount
• wash out
• take down
• dynamite
• dissolve
• cut down
• scotch
• disintegrate
• wear (away)
• deteriorate
• blow up
• wipe out
• vitiate
• beat
• undo
• whip
• fell
• obliterate
• thrash
• loot
• gut
• overmatch
• mutilate
• plunder
• blot out
• wallop
• massacre
• stamp (out)
• murder
• disfigure
• exterminate
• scour
• mangle
• liquidate
• root (out)
• overbear
• expunge
• assassinate
• mow (down)
• trash
• clobber
• extirpate
• pillage
• deface
• kill off
• trample
• trounce
• dispatch
• take out
• skunk
• snuff (out)
• disassemble
• unmake
• execute
• slay
• butcher
• drub
• zap
• efface
• despoil
• dilapidate
• vandalize
• unbuild

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• build
• construct
• set up
• raise
• rear
• create
• form
• repair
• patch
• put up
• erect
• produce
• make
• fix
• constitute
• found
• shape
• manufacture
• establish
• bring about
• frame
• save
• fashion
• assemble
• protect
• organize
• mend
• mold
• invent
• preserve
• institute
• revamp
• fabricate
• restore
• forge
• doctor
• conserve
• recondition
• rebuild
• reconstruct
• father
• remodel
• renovate

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

Recent Examples of total

Adjective

Among wellness practitioners, a detox is usually intertwined with total healing and not focused on a single method. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Last year’s total prize pool of $90 million was almost exactly 16% of the previous year’s revenues, but the organization’s financials for the 2025 tournament have not yet been released. — Lev Akabas, Sportico.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Noun

Eighteen of this year’s 54 nominees, or one-third of the total in seven categories, are first-timers to the competition. — Jon Burlingame, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026

The Pitt led all nominees with a total of 25, with Hacks following with 24 (a record for a comedy series for nominations in a single year). — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

The research center totals 544,500 square feet, according to Cushman & Wakefield. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026

In all, the system’s budget request to the state totals $730 million, with additional items such as funding for medical research and an expansion of AI capabilities included. — Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing total

• grand total
• sum total