total 1 of 3

1
2
3

total

2 of 3

noun

total

3 of 3

verb

1
2
3

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
Unlike other major golf tournaments, there is no Ryder Cup purse or total prize fund. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025 The disturbance is expected to produce the following storm total rainfall amounts through Monday morning. Miami Herald Hurricane Bot, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
Elsewhere, Pribula was sacked four times, which was half of Mizzou’s entire 2025 total entering Saturday. Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2025 Scheffler is one of four Americans who have a positive strokes gained total this week. Justin Ray, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Verb
Again, one player has totaled two in three weeks. Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025 Hundreds of dollars in costs Supporters of the bill estimate that even insured people deal with annual costs totaling $650 due to high deductibles. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for total
Recent Examples of Synonyms for total
Adjective
  • Our first stop on IndyStar's political reporting tour was an absolute ball.
    Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Keep an eye on Bell kicker Grady Matcham, who has been an absolute game-changer for the Blue Raiders this season.
    Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In other words, Chelsea’s payments for Brighton players and other personnel have covered around 29 per cent, almost a third, of the latter’s spend on new signings across the club’s entire history.
    Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Images of the entire geocorona can't be collected from a satellite in Earth orbit.
    Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Carylanne Brown, the senior Grove guide at Grove Collaborative, also likes the idea of selecting one day per week to tackle a more thorough clean.
    Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025
  • An objective and thorough review will show nothing inappropriate was stored or kept by Amb.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In the past, the prize has varied season to season but frequently included a cash sum as well as a coveted CFDA spot.
    Alyssa Davis, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Because of Australia’s remote location, drug prices are exceptionally high, and the strict border authorities mean that taking large sums of cash out of the country is a considerable challenge.
    Barry Levitt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Koupparis, who makes costuming a speciality, is among the most senior members of this group, which first numbered about 15 people when it was founded in 2013.
    Neda Ulaby, NPR, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The other cards in his hand are all numbered.
    Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But she’s perturbed when Emily adds on the allegation about her makeout session, which Gretchen’s fiancé Slade claims to have on tape.
    Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Natisha Hiedeman scored 19 points off the bench and reserve Maria Kliundikova added eight, including a trio of big shots in the fourth.
    Mike Cook, Twin Cities, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Don Sweeney, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Doing so could compromise the slight taper at the hem, ruining the silhouette.
    Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The sheer size of the system churning its way through the South China Sea was captured from space by Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui aboard the International Space Station.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
  • Festival highlights include the giant mum arch and other flowery displays–perfect for photos–as well as the sheer variety of shopping from more than 300 vendors.
    Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 23 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Total.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/total. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on total

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!