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

The Canucks scored 210 total goals last season (51 power-play goals and nine shorthanded goals). — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Half of respondents forecast a moderate increase in the total volume of goods sourced for their companies in 2027. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Noun

The Panthers produced their highest rushing total of the season, running for 167 yards on 39 attempts. — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026

All net proceeds were donated to charities that support and advocate for women and girls, and as the evening came to a close, Melinda Gates matched the $10 million already raised and brought the total to $20 million. — Karla Cote, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026

Verb

The Broward County Cultural Division issued 167 cultural grants last fiscal year, totaling over $6 million. — Zoey Thomas, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2026

By June, Nguyen had received roughly $770,700 in campaign contributions and her campaign expenditures totaled more than $1,082,300. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing total

• grand total
• sum total