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
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
Among the totems, knickknacks, and ephemera in Will Shortz’s home-cum-museum, and one of his favorite items, is a copy of the 1924 book inscribed by Dick Simon and Max Schuster, sent to its source of inspiration.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
This time, everyone remains on the couch and passes around a doll named Eve as a permission-to-speak totem.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2025
But for a city break with all the totems of winter, Boston more than delivers.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem
New Atlas, 11 Dec. 2025
Among the totems, knickknacks, and ephemera in Will Shortz’s home-cum-museum, and one of his favorite items, is a copy of the 1924 book inscribed by Dick Simon and Max Schuster, sent to its source of inspiration.
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
This time, everyone remains on the couch and passes around a doll named Eve as a permission-to-speak totem.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 15 Nov. 2025
But for a city break with all the totems of winter, Boston more than delivers.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for totem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totem
Noun
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During the 2002 World Cup, fans across Africa celebrated Senegal’s upset victory over defending champion France, its former colonizer, as a symbol of liberation.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
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Central to the story is Noah’s promise to Allie to one day restore a white house with blue shutters—an act that becomes a lasting symbol of devotion and attention to detail.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Chaiwalas, or street tea venders, have long been taken as emblems of the small-scale entrepreneurialism by which uneducated Indians can gain subsistence, and, in theory, something more.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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While the Tennessee Titans already shed their former colors and logos before the NFL Draft, with an entire event to showcase their new threads and emblem, the Rams are keeping their changes much more lowkey.—
Tyler Erzberger,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The doughnut is finished with a cookies-and-creme-flavored buttercream dollop and a red chevron nod to the NASA logo.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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From that moment through the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory, the city has cycled through slogans and logos — but keeps coming back to the heart, including in the upcoming World Cup.—
Dan Kelly,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The ability to elevate simple ingredients through preservation became a hallmark of Roman gastronomy, showcasing pickling as both art and science.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
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Leather-on-leather is very much a Miley Cyrus hallmark.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Totem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totem. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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