totems

plural of totem
as in symbols
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

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 totems As a result, his compositions have become strange totems of the internet, like global ringtones. Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026 The shrinekeeper greets bar patrons, gives them nicknames, will learn to recognize regulars, plays games of chess alone and with guests, and accepts tips that manifest into permanent flora or small totems within the microcosm of the work. Gabriella Angeleti, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026 Why Ketchikan matters Long before Ketchikan became a bustling fishing town and cruise port, the sheltered waterways of Southeast Alaska were home to Indigenous communities whose histories were carved into towering cedar totems. Josh Rivera, USA Today, 13 May 2026 Haring’s totems clearly express this idea. Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 2 May 2026 In his work exist iconic signs of beloved local establishments — like the Playpen — the blinding glint reflecting off downtown’s skyline, telephone poles regarded as totems. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 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 Totems and totems with flags, less than 7 feet tall, and less than 1 inch in diameter. Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 24 Feb. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totems
Noun
  • Trademark law protects distinctive brand identifiers—like words and symbols—that tell the public exactly who is behind a product.
    Ashlee Difuntorum, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The video features key symbols of Chicano culture, from lowriders to marionette dolls and sparkly Lady of Guadalupe statues.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
Noun
  • Singapore maintains strict rules on the public display of foreign flags and emblems without a permit, framing the laws as necessary to protect the country’s racial and religious harmony.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Similar traditions appear elsewhere in East Asia, where dragons often serve as guardians, bringers of good fortune, or emblems of imperial authority.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 July 2026
Noun
  • Accountability, resilience, and a willingness to learn are all trademarks of a self-aware and high-performing employee.
    Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • All played with the kinds of intensity and verve that have become trademarks of young players associated with United.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 25 July 2026

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“Totems.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totems. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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