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
Her materials include those most basic elements of the earth—geology—and her forms borrow from totems, obelisks, prehistoric megaliths, and Indigenous Caribbean zeniths.
—
Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for totem
Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for totem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totem
Noun
-
Matić, who is based in London, works across photography, sculpture, sound, poetry, and film to examine social dynamics of race, gender, and intimacy through the lens of national symbols (flags are a recurring motif).—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
18 May 2026
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The project blends soccer, youth and culture into a lasting symbol of Inglewood pride.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The bald eagle has been a national emblem since Congress adopted the Great Seal in 1782, though it wasn’t designated the national bird until 2024.—
Sarah Raza,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2026
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The lace-up style features a low-top silhouette, a thick rubber sole, and a leather upper stamped with Veja’s classic emblem.—
Kayla Kitts,
Travel + Leisure,
15 May 2026
Noun
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The tool searched for promotional logos and text associated with gambling, however subtle or brief, in nearly 90,000 frames of video.—
Luke Connors,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
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Wembanyama took the ball from Stephon Castle and added to the guard’s assist total with a 27-foot three near the Oklahoma City logo to tie the game at 108 apiece with 27 seconds left.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The light-dark contrast that is the hallmark of great lawn striping is achieved by simply bending grass blades to reflect light in a specific way.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 May 2026
-
This is the hallmark of someone who wins a major.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Totem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totem. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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