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Definition of totalnext
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total

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noun

total

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verb

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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
Cities were then ranked by the total amount renters save each month by renting instead of carrying a mortgage. Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026 Last year, the total water used (plus water lost to evaporation) was 3 million acre-feet more than what the river actually carried. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026
Noun
In total, the ACP says the canal handled 324 tankers in April. Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 12 May 2026 Since Slot took over Gomez has largely remained a back-up option with a total of 12 league starts across the past two seasons. James Pearce, New York Times, 12 May 2026
Verb
The Japanese giant has invested more than $30 billion in OpenAI, with its investment gains in the company totalling $45 billion in the year ended March. Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 13 May 2026 Net losses totaled $256 million, swinging downward from $469 million in net income. Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for total
Recent Examples of Synonyms for total
Adjective
  • There are alternative routes for vessels if Malacca is blocked, meaning a closure could prove more of an inconvenience than an absolute barrier to trade.
    Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 16 May 2026
  • The Sabich case became an absolute sensation in the media, not just in America but also globally, and Longet was internationally labeled Aspen’s femme fatale.
    Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
Adjective
  • According to our models, when a massive, Population III star reaches the end of its life, its core collapses into a black hole, but the resulting supernova explosion isn’t energetic enough to blow the entire star apart.
    Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
  • That doctor said Foxx had a brain bleed that had led to a stroke, the comedian said, and his sister continually prayed during his entire operation.
    Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
Adjective
  • Before departure, perform a thorough safety check to ensure your boat is in good working condition and free of potential hazards.
    Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
  • Located inside a 1950s building, Klaus' apartment needed a thorough renovation.
    Leonie Rolinck, Architectural Digest, 9 May 2026
Noun
  • The trial, of course, is centered on whether OpenAI abandoned its charitable founding mission as its for-profit arm fundraised record sums from Microsoft and others and its parent company restructured into a public-benefit corporation.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 13 May 2026
  • Now the company seeks to expand on last year’s win by spending vast sums — putting up more than $70 million so far — on a California ballot measure campaign to cap attorney fees in car crash cases.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
Verb
  • The constellation now numbers more than 200 satellites developed in a partnership between SpaceX and Northrop Grumman.
    Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 15 May 2026
  • While his workforce generally numbers 160, for the Mother’s Day crush, which involved shipment of 700,000 plants, another 40 employees were hired.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • That, along with the angle of his arm—his arm slot, in baseball terms—adds another layer of deception.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 17 May 2026
  • Asked about those concerns, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, said the legislation is needed, adding the bill outlines helpful and harmful AI applications simultaneously.
    P.R. Lockhart, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 10 May 2026
  • On Friday, a pitchers’ duel was ruined by a circus act of an inning, and the Cardinals beat the Padres 6-0.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2026
Adjective
  • Both reiterated, however, that the investigation was still active and the translations almost complete.
    Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 11 May 2026
  • Her 18-year prison sentence was suspended, but her foundation says the conditional release is insufficient and demands her complete and unconditional freedom.
    Sarah el Deeb, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Total.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/total. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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