as in symbol
a device, design, or figure used as an identifying mark
the bald eagle, that universally recognized totem of our country
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of totem
Exhausted young office workers here have unofficially adopted Cry Cry Horse as a totem reflecting their mood at work.
—
Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
The vishaps’ consistent ties to water sources, their polished surfaces and their precise placement in harsh alpine zones point to a widespread belief system in which water itself was sacred and required such totems of appreciation.
—New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2025
Among the totems, knickknacks, and ephemera in Will Shortz’s home-cum-museum, and one of his favorite items, is a copy of the 1924 book inscribed by Dick Simon and Max Schuster, sent to its source of inspiration.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
This time, everyone remains on the couch and passes around a doll named Eve as a permission-to-speak totem.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem
Marissa Martinez, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
The vishaps’ consistent ties to water sources, their polished surfaces and their precise placement in harsh alpine zones point to a widespread belief system in which water itself was sacred and required such totems of appreciation.
—New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2025
Among the totems, knickknacks, and ephemera in Will Shortz’s home-cum-museum, and one of his favorite items, is a copy of the 1924 book inscribed by Dick Simon and Max Schuster, sent to its source of inspiration.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
This time, everyone remains on the couch and passes around a doll named Eve as a permission-to-speak totem.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totem
Noun
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Now it had been relegated again to a leftist cause, a symbol of anti-imperial resistance for some and the face of communism’s failings for others.—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
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Houseplant’s new Italian Collection includes pieces made and hand-painted in Deruta, all boasting that near-ubiquitous symbol of good luck and protection found on so many Italian pottery pieces—the rooster.—
Rachel Wallace,
Architectural Digest,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Fashion Nova baddie in horizontal sprawl off the Vertigo, for example, is an emblem for those in the know.—
Julissa James,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
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For more than 100 years, Coca-Cola has persevered as an undeniable American emblem, affixed to marketing memorable ads and filling soda machines in more than 200 countries.—
Mariah Franklin,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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With a jellybean color palette, a new wavy Rhode logo, and shapes like mushrooms and beans, the stickers were aligned with Justin’s Skylrk aesthetic, forming a bridge between the two labels and the Biebers ahead of their biggest weekend in the public eye since their wedding in 2018.—
Lucy Maguire,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 2026
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Young has continued to antagonize New York fans, including pretending to roll dice on the Knicks logo after a 2024 victory clinched a trip to Las Vegas for the NBA Cup.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Being able to communicate clearly and listen to your employees is the hallmark of a great leader.—
Nancy Pulciano,
Rolling Stone,
20 Apr. 2026
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The inclusion of the Serpenti Tubogas Studs and exclusive High Jewelry creations further cements this material interplay as a cornerstone of the brand’s identity, elevating a once-radical experiment into a timeless hallmark of sophistication.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Totem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totem. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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