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
These twin totems of American indie film remain a huge part of Redford’s legacy, not to mention an ode to his commitment to fostering the future of the medium.
—
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
Ketchikan adds totem heritage, creek-side boardwalks and salmon runs right through town.
—Jill Schildhouse, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
There are garments worn by clergy in the late 18th century and religious totems, and items used by explorers from around the same general time period: a saddle, a tobacco pouch, a cooking griddle, and things like a pistol and gunpowder horn.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 4 Aug. 2025
The French had destroyed all trace of totems and iconography associated with the old religion.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
Ketchikan adds totem heritage, creek-side boardwalks and salmon runs right through town.
—Jill Schildhouse, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
There are garments worn by clergy in the late 18th century and religious totems, and items used by explorers from around the same general time period: a saddle, a tobacco pouch, a cooking griddle, and things like a pistol and gunpowder horn.
—Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 4 Aug. 2025
The French had destroyed all trace of totems and iconography associated with the old religion.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totem
Noun
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Click the Save or Save As icon (the diskette symbol) to store your changes.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
16 Oct. 2025
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Its leather jackets became a cultural symbol in the ’90s and 2000s — worn by legends like Biggie and Dipset — representing pride, toughness, and self-expression.—
Christopher Claxton,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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To take the lower front air intakes, which were angled toward the centerline of the car—toward the Tri Star emblem—and invert them to toward the tires was a dreadful choice.—
Sean Evans,
Robb Report,
14 Oct. 2025
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The canine was captured jumping away in shock at the mere sight of a decorative corpse-bride statue, a popular Halloween emblem, in a short clip later shared to TikTok by their owner under @liv_hinkley.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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City officials hope the slogan, and the accompanying logo, help rally pride in the community and become a lasting part of Santa Clara’s identity.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
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Shuttled in on golf carts to a powder pink carpet, models, media and micro-celebrities mingled as staff passed out marbled Jell-O shots and macarons stamped with the VS logo.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Zhang’s signature style—an inventive blend of stop-motion, 2D hand-drawing, and experimental storytelling—has become a hallmark of her work, drawing attention for both its artistic innovation and emotional resonance.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
15 Oct. 2025
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Definite intention—that is a Wittenberg hallmark.—
Grace Edquist,
Vogue,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Site’s two acres comprise Uganda’s trademark red soil and sit on top of Buziga, one of the highest points in Kampala.—
Dana Harris-Bridson,
IndieWire,
13 Oct. 2025
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Dave Canales’ trademark optimism feels warranted entering Week 7.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Totem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totem. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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