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
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Recent Examples of totems
The Chinese take-out eatery included a dining area themed to look like a Tiki lounge with bamboo, oars, totems and puffer fish lamps.
—
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 10 Oct. 2025
The rural Wisconsinite, who died in a psychiatric institution in 1984, became known for keeping as totems pieces of his victims’ bodies, in a string of crimes that shocked bucolic 1950s America.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
These twin totems of American indie film remain a huge part of Redford’s legacy, not to mention an ode to his commitment to fostering the future of the medium.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
Within the fashion section, designers and ceramicists Giulia Cosenza and Jonas Lutz will debut sculptures suitable for retail display, creating totems for bespoke fashion spaces.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2025
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 10 Oct. 2025
The rural Wisconsinite, who died in a psychiatric institution in 1984, became known for keeping as totems pieces of his victims’ bodies, in a string of crimes that shocked bucolic 1950s America.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
These twin totems of American indie film remain a huge part of Redford’s legacy, not to mention an ode to his commitment to fostering the future of the medium.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
Within the fashion section, designers and ceramicists Giulia Cosenza and Jonas Lutz will debut sculptures suitable for retail display, creating totems for bespoke fashion spaces.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totems
Noun
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On the flip side, its tunnel-vision focus on the Murdaughs means that the non-Murdaugh, non-murder victims left in their wake, like Mallory and her family or the clients Alex defrauds at work, are reduced to symbols.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Oct. 2025
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The protests are led by a youth movement which uses symbols — including a pirate flag from popular Japanese manga One Piece, a stand-in for confronting oppression — associated with demonstrations in other countries, including Morocco, Nepal, and Peru.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Beer bottles litter the foreground, blunt emblems of drunk driving.—
Jerry Saltz,
Vulture,
29 Sep. 2025
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Organized in drops, the collection celebrates the carefree spirit associated with the Vespa scooter and is rich in pieces intended to be layered and the brand’s signature emblems and graphics.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Any restaurant names or trademarks in the names of our recipes are included solely for reference and do not indicate any authorization or approval by their owners.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Oct. 2025
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In December year, President Joe Biden signed a law prohibiting recognition in the United States of trademarks confiscated by the Cuban government.—
Sarah Moreno,
Miami Herald,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Totems.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totems. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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