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
Emerging from a need for an artistic outlet during a time of loss, the totems became symbolic talismans of her own transformation.
—
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2024
An emblem of hope becomes a totem of governmental mistrust.
—Alexis Coe, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025
Despite being afraid of heights, Stern recently completed eight-foot totems depicting the lives of a man and a woman.
—Remy Tumin, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
His uncle, another mentor and artist, was a totem carver, canoe maker and jeweler.
—Greg Allen, NPR, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for totem
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2024
An emblem of hope becomes a totem of governmental mistrust.
—Alexis Coe, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025
Despite being afraid of heights, Stern recently completed eight-foot totems depicting the lives of a man and a woman.
—Remy Tumin, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2024
His uncle, another mentor and artist, was a totem carver, canoe maker and jeweler.
—Greg Allen, NPR, 5 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for totem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totem
Noun
-
The company said the dress code change will maintain the green apron's status as the symbol for Starbucks since they were introduced in 1987.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
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Women began appearing at anti-Trump protests wearing costumes inspired by the show—the handmaids’ long red cloaks and snow-white broad-brimmed bonnets serving as symbols of their political discontent.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Rescue workers, at least two of whom can be seen wearing uniforms, are seen exiting a fire truck and an ambulance marked with the emblem of the Red Crescent and approaching the ambulance derailed to the side.—
Farnaz Fassihi,
New York Times,
5 Apr. 2025
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Each movement is engraved with an emblem representing Vacheron Constantin’s 270th anniversary.—
Fairchild Studio,
Footwear News,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The paint-style design on the side was nice, and the chenille Jordan logo on the tongue was a bold change.—
Jason Jones,
New York Times,
10 Apr. 2025
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Further details on the brand and logo will be provided closer to the transaction completion, Piedmont said.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The campaign is predictably Trumpian, built on a flagrantly pretextual basis and executed with the sort of vicious but chaotic idiocy that has always been a hallmark of the authoritarian mind.—
Ars Staff,
ArsTechnica,
17 Apr. 2025
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The parade is still alive and well today and is one of the hallmarks of Fiesta.—
Jill Robbins,
Southern Living,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The eighty-one-year-old Crumb, dressed in a long dark coat and his trademark fedora and Coke-bottle glasses, looked over his drawings as if trying to place old acquaintances at a party.—
Bruce Handy,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
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As usual, however, Charli was onstage solo for most of the night, bodying the songs with her trademark unusually violent dancing: hard fist pumps and hair-whipping, torso wrenching and writhing on the stage floor.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
13 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Totem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totem. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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