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
But for a city break with all the totems of winter, Boston more than delivers.
—
Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
The dress fetched more than $125,000 at auction, cementing its status as a totem of the couple’s early years.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for totem
Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
The dress fetched more than $125,000 at auction, cementing its status as a totem of the couple’s early years.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for totem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totem
Noun
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According to the news release, there is a design gradient on the livery that’s a repeat of a Cadillac chevron, giving a nod to General Motors’ co-ownership and Cadillac’s symbol.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Since the 1970s, Toñitas has become a symbol of resistance amid growing gentrification in the neighborhood, where businesses owned by people of color have been shuttered and longtime Williamsburg residents pushed out by exorbitant rent hikes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The group hosted a DJ to play Persian songs, and attendees waved tri-color Iranian flags bearing the Lion and Sun emblem, the country’s flag before the 1979 revolution.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
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For the past decade, the months of January in this town have been littered with Chiefs signs, emblems, banners and packed storefronts, from downtown to the Plaza, and from one side of State Line Road to the other.—
Sam McDowell
February 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The images released by the FBI show the logo for Nest, a smart doorbell brand owned by Google.—
Tom Winter,
NBC news,
10 Feb. 2026
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The commercial started with the team’s helmet, which prominently displays the Cadillac logo and team name above the visor.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Bad Bunny spotlights Puerto Rican cuisine As Bad Bunny strutted down the Super Bowl stage, the singer highlighted the hallmarks of Puerto Rican cuisine.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
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This is not a benefit; this is the hallmark of all ideas that aren’t worth very much.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Totem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totem. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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