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
-
Mix uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Before the night was out, Germans began chipping away at the barrier, carrying off chunks of one of the symbols of the diminishing Iron Curtain.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Through these stories, audiences learned to view extravagant dwellings as not just emblems of individual success but portals into a fantasy life.—
Kim Hew-Low,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
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For all its big-picture significance, Lo never turns her central trio into emblems.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with permission.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Nov. 2025
-
On Monday, the jury found that Nicklaus Companies—which owns trademarks connected to licensing, golf course design, and several brands, including Golden Bear™ and Jack Nicklaus™—defamed him.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Totems.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totems. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
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