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
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show current usage.
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Recent Examples of total
David Stout, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
Because tax resolution services are based on each taxpayer’s financial situation, the scope of work and total cost can vary widely from case to case.
—Dan Simms, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 17 Feb. 2026
Last season, Jennings had just 643 yards (55th in the NFL) but scored on a career-high nine touchdown receptions, tying for the NFL’s eighth-best total.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
According to Courant reports, Williams-Bey was out on bonds totaling more than $800,000 at the time of the shooting.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for total
Adjective
To justify billions in funding, Big Tech must promise equally as astronomical returns – in the form of total economic transformation, not incremental productivity gains.
—David Stout, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026
Because tax resolution services are based on each taxpayer’s financial situation, the scope of work and total cost can vary widely from case to case.
—Dan Simms, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
That's significantly less than overdose deaths from synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl), which were involved in nearly 73,000 deaths, or about 69% of the total.
—Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 17 Feb. 2026
Last season, Jennings had just 643 yards (55th in the NFL) but scored on a career-high nine touchdown receptions, tying for the NFL’s eighth-best total.
—Cam Inman, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Terrence Richardson totaled eight points and 14 rebounds.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
According to Courant reports, Williams-Bey was out on bonds totaling more than $800,000 at the time of the shooting.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for total
Recent Examples of Synonyms for total
Adjective
-
Sofia Vergara kept tan lines to the absolute minimum during an impromptu sunbathing session on Friday morning.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The absolute security that George felt about his own social position, plus some liberal impulse stirring within him, led him to want to take down the barriers that the Mardi Gras krewes—social organizations of immense prestige—had erected against Jews, at least on behalf of the Lemanns.—
Nicholas Lemann,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In Minnesota, federal prosecutors have filed 35 cases in December and January, compared to just nine during Biden’s entire four-year term.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
-
There are 11 transfers on the roster, including the entire eight-man rotation from Tuesday night.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
In this regard, recommendations of top Wall Street analysts can help investors make the right choice, as these experts assign buy ratings after a thorough analysis of a company's fundamentals and its ability to consistently pay dividends.—
,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings.—
Keith Caulfield,
Billboard,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
But baseball’s membership still struggles with a division between the elite players, who make large sums of money, and everyone else.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
To acquire Chancalay, the Loons spent a paltry sum of $100,000 in a cash-for-player trade the day after Christmas.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Attorneys for the plaintiff, Kathy Morehart of Texas, allege Morehart and others who are part of a potential class of victims numbering in the thousands relied on OpenLoop to keep their private health information confidential.—
Clark Kauffman,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Five of them will be white balls numbered 1 to 69.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The staff is also readily available to assist whenever needed, adding an extra layer of ease for guests who may require additional support during their stay.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
All four companies have taken steps to improve safety, including by introducing parental controls tools, adding privacy settings for young users, increasing content restrictions and offering options to limit notifications or time spent scrolling.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That was what Ilia Malinin endured on Friday night, when his disastrous free skate ruined his chances for gold.—
Dave Skretta,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Steam cleaning is an effective way to sanitize and refresh your mattress, but the wrong technique can end up ruining the fabric.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The couple—who got engaged last summer—stepped out for the 2026 Berlinale Film Festival last night; this time, looking equally loved up but embracing complete polar-opposite fashions.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
-
For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
15 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Total.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/total. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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