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
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
Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
Fox has not released subscriber totals for the nascent service.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 May 2026
Jem Aswad, Variety, 19 May 2026
It’s expected to total about $190 million in 2026.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 19 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for 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
During his time at San Quentin, fellow death row inmate William Noguera reached out to a cold case investigator and told him Naso had confessed to killing a total of 26 women.
—Alexiah Syrai Olsen, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
Fox has not released subscriber totals for the nascent service.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 19 May 2026
Verb
Styles takes full advantage of the walkways — three of them spanning the floor lengthwise with one crossing the middle, totalling around 350 yards in length — and spent around half the show away from the main stage, almost constantly on the move.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 19 May 2026
It’s expected to total about $190 million in 2026.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 19 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
-
Nonetheless, neither Cubans on the island or outside of the country may be inclined to accept a change in leadership that stops short of ousting the entire regime.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
21 May 2026
-
Those who have ridden it before know Smugglers Run has always been responsive, perhaps too much so as inexperienced gamers could spend the entire attraction crashing the ship.—
Todd Martens,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2026
Adjective
-
Removing Stains From Your Microwave Baking soda gives more than a thorough cleaning.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
16 May 2026
-
Rinse under cold water 1 minute, shaking to ensure a thorough rinse.—
Midwest Living,
Midwest Living,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Ratner and the First Lady have all defended the steep cost of the film, which cost $40 million to make and another $35 million to market – outlandish sums for a documentary.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
20 May 2026
-
Traditional preparations — Korean kimchi, Japanese miso, Eastern European sauerkraut, Central Asian kefir — have been refined over centuries to preserve the microbial communities that make these foods more than the sum of their ingredients.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
20 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
-
Since 2015, it has been held in ten different cities, including Las Vegas, where a red carpet was constructed atop the Bellagio’s fountain pool, and Nashville, where rowdy attendees ruined bachelorette parties on Broadway.—
Dan Greene,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
-
Many riads were in a state of disrepair, crammed with striking examples of traditional craftsmanship going to ruin.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Food and drink All-day restaurant Pure serves up a sprawling breakfast buffet complete with omelette and pancake stations, heaving tropical fruit platters, and baked goods galore, including Polynesian treats like coconut bread.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
18 May 2026
-
There was a sense of endings at St James’ Park; not definitive, not complete, but persuasive, a final home game for Kieran Trippier as a Newcastle player, and a feeble waft of farewell in the colour of claret.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Total.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/total. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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