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
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
Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 July 2025
Świątek may be surprised to be here, but Anisimova must be in total shock.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 24 July 2025
More than a dozen Iranian iPhone users were identified as having been targeted by the government spyware, but human rights groups estimate that this is just a fraction of the total.
—Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
The women’s race will begin at 8:30 a.m. and span four laps, totaling 71.6 miles.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for total
Adjective
Timothy Olyphant also snagged a Guest Actor nod, and this year, Forest Whitaker brought the total nomination count to five with yet another Guest Actor nomination.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 23 July 2025
Świątek may be surprised to be here, but Anisimova must be in total shock.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Noun
The world champions had a total of 22 goal attempts in the game: nine on target, eight off-target and four blocked, plus that Paredes effort that struck the woodwork.
—Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 24 July 2025
More than a dozen Iranian iPhone users were identified as having been targeted by the government spyware, but human rights groups estimate that this is just a fraction of the total.
—Kate O'Flaherty, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
Each statue took 51 hours to construct, totaling over 13,000 Lego bricks.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 July 2025
The women’s race will begin at 8:30 a.m. and span four laps, totaling 71.6 miles.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for total
Recent Examples of Synonyms for total
Adjective
-
Instead, all the chatter on that October 2005 morning was focused on the absolute madman chain-smoking and mainlining coffee to a degree never witnessed before.—
Dalton Ross,
EW.com,
30 July 2025
-
The issue is less the absolute number than the trajectory.—
William Pesek,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
The incidents in the last three months of 2023 surpassed the entire number of incidents recorded in 2022, and 2024 had the highest number of antisemitic incidents the chapter has recorded in its 12-year existence.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Advertisement The National Tsunami Warning Center also issued tsunami advisories for parts of Alaska and the entire West Coast, including California, Oregon, Washington, as well as Canada’s British Columbia.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
One of the key panels of the conference highlighted the importance of this efficient, effective, and thorough communication across the organization.—
Mena Mirhom,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
-
Rebuilding company trust requires honest leadership, true accountability and a thorough examination of the company’s values — and whether they’re being lived or merely listed on the company website.—
Alyshia Hull,
USA Today,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
Users spend immense sums on digital items, using Roblox’s proprietary currency, Robux.—
AJ Dhaliwal,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
-
KPop Demon Hunters’ streaming sum of 109.53 million clicks is the biggest for a soundtrack since Encanto was in its seventh week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 (March 5, 2022; with 114.67 million).—
Jim Asker,
Billboard,
23 July 2025
Verb
-
In a video posted Friday on X, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick doubled down on his intimation that the Texas Lottery's days might be numbered, coming less than two weeks after the Texas House recommended reducing its budget to zero.—
John C. Moritz,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
Incident types are numbered 1-5 — a type 1 incident is a large, complex wildfire affecting people and critical infrastructure, a type 5 incident is a small wildfire with few personnel involved.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
28 July 2025
Verb
-
Inspired by the Greek myth of Icarus, the mural adds another layer to the museum's offerings. 700 Congress Ave.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
22 July 2025
-
Use a chive cream cheese, or add some garlic and herb Boursin if desired.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
Some adults agreed, but others made comments about me ruining the mood.—
Nicholas Rice,
People.com,
20 July 2025
-
Nothing ruins the vibe of a beautiful backyard faster than dull, discolored patio furniture that’s more of an eyesore than an inviting lounge spot.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 July 2025
Adjective
-
The sheer number of workers who are undocumented immigrants make the effect of widespread raids more pronounced.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
21 July 2025
-
In a picture at a piano, Alexa wore a pink, sheer dress that opened at her stomach, signifying that the couple was expecting a girl.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Total.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/total. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share