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

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

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

Early adopters have already reported significant results, including a first-time delivery success rate of up to 98 percent and an 18 percent reduction in total transport costs. —Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 9 Apr. 2026

The results, while not a total surprise, were striking. —Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 9 Apr. 2026

Noun

Regional transit is aiming to hire about 15 new transit ambassadors this month, bringing the total to 55, said Lisa Hinz, RT’s vice president of security, safety and customer satisfaction. —Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2026

Inside are seven en suite bedrooms and a total of eight and a half bathrooms, along with a home theater, gym, and even a meditation room—though inner peace hasn’t exactly been the vibe here. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Apr. 2026

Verb

The purchases totaled more than $14,000, and none of it was tied to legitimate business use. —Shelley Bortz, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026

Due to the decline in film and TV production and spiraling health costs, the WGA health fund has run deficits totaling $200 million over the last four years. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026

Phrases Containing total

• grand total
• sum total