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 high-low contrast between a $27.99 toy and, say, a $4,700 Bottega Veneta Andiamo leather tote bag has become a knowing wink, a 4-inch-tall totem of irony.
—
Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
There were video game plushies, Bratz shirts, Minecraft totems, along with some Southern fetishism like cowboy boots and half-unbuttoned flannels.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 25 June 2025
The Beach Year: 2000 Runtime: 1h 59m Following A Life Less Ordinary, Boyle’s Hollywood sojourn continued with this adaptation of Alex Garland’s debut novel, seen by many at the time as a bit of a Gen-X totem of drugs, freedom, and alienation.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Tim Grierson paid a visit to the Criterion Mobile Closet last weekend, as the cinephile totem made its first ever stop in Los Angeles, parked in front of Vidiots.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem
Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
There were video game plushies, Bratz shirts, Minecraft totems, along with some Southern fetishism like cowboy boots and half-unbuttoned flannels.
—Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 25 June 2025
The Beach Year: 2000 Runtime: 1h 59m Following A Life Less Ordinary, Boyle’s Hollywood sojourn continued with this adaptation of Alex Garland’s debut novel, seen by many at the time as a bit of a Gen-X totem of drugs, freedom, and alienation.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 20 June 2025
Tim Grierson paid a visit to the Criterion Mobile Closet last weekend, as the cinephile totem made its first ever stop in Los Angeles, parked in front of Vidiots.
—Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totem
Noun
-
Bag charms have become small cultural statements of their own, and Coach has leaned into this trend with playful symbols rooted in New York be that yellow taxis, landmarks - all icons that capture place as much as product.—
Kate Hardcastle,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
This article explores why these models are more than watches—they’re cultural symbols, and why this one retailer has earned the confidence of serious collectors.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In later centuries, Barbary lions were gifted between royal courts, kept in menageries, and even depicted on national emblems — as in the coat of arms of Morocco and the United Kingdom.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The square was built on the location of the 1789 uprising and where the Bastille prison, an emblem of tyranny, once stood and was dismantled.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This includes restoring original features like the Pan Am logos and the iconic winding staircase.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The gold detailing shows through both the rackets and the bags and the Laver Cup logo and a logo of the Laver Cup trophy also show up on the products.—
Tim Newcomb,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Similarly, the mega-wide legs on fluid trousers and the patchwork on an overall style reflected the brand's commitment to upcycling remnants, a hallmark of its approach.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
This strategy will place an emphasis on selling high-quality fresh food, a hallmark of 7-Eleven's success in Japan.—
Alia Shoaib,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Harry brought his trademark humor and warmth to the awards, a ceremony honoring seriously ill children who have shown incredible courage, joking and making smiles all around.—
Erin Hill,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Busta also received an assist from Papoose and Joyner Lucas, all of them sharing lyrical wordplay and seamless tradeoffs as Busta swung between his trademark dichotomy of rapping to gruff bellowing.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Totem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totem. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share