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
One example is last year’s soft opening on remote Prince of Wales Island of a new port in Klawock, a small town with a rich Tlingit heritage and a renowned totem park.
—
Fran Golden, AFAR Media, 26 Mar. 2025
Expanding the song’s world of stray thoughts and heartbreak totems while expertly navigating the story’s twists and turns, Swift turned a for-the-fans album cut into an authoritative epic.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 3 June 2025
Laura’s empty swimming pool comes in for a major metaphorical workout, and the film is dotted with memes and totems of a kind of witchcraft we’re never given the full decoder ring to.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 May 2025
The world was enchanted, alive with gods, totems, and unseen forces.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem
Fran Golden, AFAR Media, 26 Mar. 2025
Expanding the song’s world of stray thoughts and heartbreak totems while expertly navigating the story’s twists and turns, Swift turned a for-the-fans album cut into an authoritative epic.
—Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 3 June 2025
Laura’s empty swimming pool comes in for a major metaphorical workout, and the film is dotted with memes and totems of a kind of witchcraft we’re never given the full decoder ring to.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 May 2025
The world was enchanted, alive with gods, totems, and unseen forces.
—Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totem
Noun
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Melons are a cultural symbol, and a pair of Yukari Kings once famously sold for $45,000 at auction.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2025
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Left-hander Tyler Anderson has been the symbol of the troubles.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
4 July 2025
Noun
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The bald eagle's release came days ahead of July Fourth celebrations, restoring an emblem of American freedom to the wild.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 June 2025
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The Las Vegas Strip is America’s emblem of excess — and extravagant energy use.—
Max Bearak,
New York Times,
24 June 2025
Noun
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The Thursday drops, the box logo, the collaborations, all reinforced this mythos of scarcity, exclusivity, and originality.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Made from 100% Peruvian cotton, it is graced by the brand’s iconic logo, which contrary to popular belief is in fact a Japanese maple leaf.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
30 June 2025
Noun
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The 139-footer, known as the 42 Exuma, has a novel layout that defies conventional superyacht design and an elegant interior that bears the hallmarks of a master couturier.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
11 July 2025
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Instead of relying on sheer distance, the course tests precision, creativity, and course management—hallmarks of the great heathland layouts that inspired it.—
Jeff Goudy,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
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The bike also features a sharper front cow with a razor-thin front lamp, an intimidating titanium exhaust system, and a video game-like livery that manages to work in all of BMW’s trademark colors.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
8 July 2025
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After the performances ended, there was a gap before the countdown, and so Burnett introduced an additional musician who’d volunteered to give a short lesson in the trademark drumming style of Ringo Starr: Fred Armisen.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Totem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totem. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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