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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

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

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
As of Thursday morning, the letter had 4,194 total signatories after launching on April 13 with 1,000 names. Todd Spangler, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026 In 2025, book adaptations drove over 9B global views on Netflix and represented nearly 20% of total view hours. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026
Noun
The city manager’s office estimates costs of $268 million to build, part of a total of $725 million over 30 years, which includes operation and maintenance and debt payments. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026 Top Republican leaders have also posted sizable fundraising totals in the first quarter, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, whose $34 million set a record. Fin Daniel Gómez, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
Of the other recent expansion franchises, Bay FC and Boston Legacy FC each paid slightly more than $50 million, while Denver Summit FC’s expansion fee totaled $110 million. Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 21 Apr. 2026 As of April 14, 56,497 importers had completed registration and were eligible for refunds totaling $127 billion, including interest, the agency said. Mae Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for total
Recent Examples of Synonyms for total
Adjective
  • With Trump, these oppositions are never absolute.
    Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The offense came up with timely hits early, Garrett Crochet was back to being Garrett Crochet and in the top of the ninth, the Red Sox erupted in epic fashion, scoring 10 runs to turn what was already a blowout into an absolute laugher.
    Mac Cerullo, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Wemby likely won’t miss the entire series with a concussion, but Portland has a great opportunity to put the Spurs in a hole with two home games coming up.
    Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Smaller, independent businesses often have more flexibility to source locally, and your dollars are more likely to circulate through an entire regional supply chain instead of reinforcing national ones.
    Maryam Ahmed, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Patients should see a medical provider for a thorough exam and bloodwork before starting the drugs, the doctor emphasized.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Still, the property is thorough in its offerings.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The gang, many of whom were part of the Doan family, robbed the Bucks County treasury of a large sum — 1,200 silver Spanish dollars and 400 silver French crowns, as well as other cash.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
  • The race to offer data center operators the most appealing tax incentive may end up being a race to the bottom, as the strategy might already be losing local and state governments large sums of money.
    Tristan Bove, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But his days in the City of Brotherly Love are almost certainly numbered.
    Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026
  • The largest bird in North America, the condor, numbered fewer than two dozen in the wild in the 1980s.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • He wasn’t done there, though, as Wells added an RBI single in the ninth inning of what became an 8-3, series-securing victory for the Yankees.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Past presidents who have attended have generally spoken about the importance of free speech and the First Amendment, adding in some light roasts about individual journalists.
    Collin Binkley, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
  • Apparently, staff learned to wash their hands, but the roaches returned to ruin another inspector’s visit.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Gil also totaled four complete innings, five hits, three walks, zero strikeouts and a pair of two-run homers, courtesy of Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes, in his fourth start of the season.
    Gary Phillips, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
  • With savings up to 86 percent on complete sets and lots of cooling options for warm nights, there are some major bedding deals lurking on the site.
    Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Total.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/total. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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