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
Relevance
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 totem
The auction includes other, less-pricey Shag prints and items, including an 8-inch Tiki Room totem mug (autographed on tag) and a lunchbox saluting Disneyland’s 50th anniversary.
—
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
For more than a decade, the singer-songwriter Mitski has been a totem for yearners.
—Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for totem
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
For more than a decade, the singer-songwriter Mitski has been a totem for yearners.
—Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for totem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totem
Noun
-
Rodríguez has publicly sought to distance her interim government from some of the most notorious symbols of repression associated with the Maduro era.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
11 May 2026
-
As far as symbolism, a serpent is a transformative symbol, often cited for the way the snake sheds its skin.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Yee showcased a black low-top silhouette featuring the brand’s signature star emblem and colorful floral embroidery.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and laid siege to Mariupol, the building became an enduring emblem of the city’s resistance.—
James Verini,
The Atlantic,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Several vehicles, including one with the company logo, started tailing a CNN crew that drove along a public road in front of the facility, attempting to block the team’s ability to film, even out the window.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
-
The collection is branded with Roxy and Juicy Couture’s iconic logos, etched in the heart and the rear.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Rich colour palettes, sumptuous carpets and opulent fabrics like silk drapes and velvet sofas are décor hallmarks.—
Ellie Seymour,
TheWeek,
12 May 2026
-
Zinnias Zinnias are a hallmark of summer gardens.—
Nellah Bailey McGough,
Southern Living,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Totem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totem. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
