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Definition of totalnext
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total

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noun

total

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word total distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of total are all, entire, and whole. While all these words mean "including everything or everyone without exception," total implies that everything has been counted, weighed, measured, or considered.

the total number of people present

How does the word all relate to other synonyms for total?

All may equal whole, entire, or total.

all proceeds go to charity

When can entire be used instead of total?

In some situations, the words entire and total are roughly equivalent. However, entire may suggest a state of completeness or perfection to which nothing can be added.

the entire population was wiped out

Where would whole be a reasonable alternative to total?

While in some cases nearly identical to total, whole implies that nothing has been omitted, ignored, abated, or taken away.

read the whole book

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 total
Adjective
Llewellyn-Jones, the former Beyond Rights, TCB Media and Cineflix exec, has been consulting for Fred and will now expand her role by identifying and managing new content partnerships across both Fred and sister company Radar, as part of WTFN’s ongoing ‘total distribution’ strategy. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 28 May 2026 These sessile foraminifera could contribute between two and 11 percent of total eukaryotic biomass carbon in the hadal zone. Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 28 May 2026
Noun
But beginning in 2022, the Asian country launched 64 rockets and last year reached a record total of 93, marking it as the second-most productive space power in the world. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 26 May 2026 The hour and minute displays are set with a total of 264 black and white diamonds. Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 26 May 2026
Verb
Her bail on the five counts totaled $5,961, according to the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2026 One more strap wraps over the ankle, which features a slightly bigger buckle that sits at the side of the foot, totaling seven straps overall. Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for total
Recent Examples of Synonyms for total
Adjective
  • This news also positions IBM right at the absolute center of the domestic deep-tech landscape.
    Jeff Kilburg, CNBC, 22 May 2026
  • The distinction is not absolute.
    Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Adjective
  • It is also written with classical punctuation, whereby a paragraph or even an entire story might be written across the duration of a single period, the narration mingling with character voices that ifntrude unannounced.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 May 2026
  • His shoulders start to lean, and soon his entire body is going along for the ride, a roller-coaster rounding the corner into a death plunge.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Adjective
  • Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a thorough investigation and accountability of those responsible following the explosion Friday evening at the Liushenyu coal mine in the northern province of Shanxi.
    ABC News, ABC News, 23 May 2026
  • In the months after the crash, authorities conducted a thorough investigation to determine what caused the fatal incident.
    Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 23 May 2026
Noun
  • The marketing is aggressive, the language sounds scientific and desperate families often raise large sums of money to fund the trips.
    Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2026
  • The massive sum spent through May 26 to support or oppose the eight leading candidates is more than double what was spent in 2018 — the last time the state’s highest office saw an open contest, according to an analysis of state campaign finance data.
    Grace Hase, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
Verb
  • Five of them will be white balls numbered 1 to 69.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 21 May 2026
  • The Clipper was previously called the NV100 Carry, numbering it neatly as the smallest in a van family that also includes the Caravan (NV350).
    C.C. Weiss May 19, New Atlas, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • The outlier in my everflowing makeup bag is a skin care-like formula that adds a noticeable glow and blurring effect—smoothing big pores and all.
    Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 24 May 2026
  • Private nuclear startups offer a different path entirely, one built on factory production, private financing and deployable designs that add new supply without forcing ratepayers to absorb the risk.
    Iulia Lupse, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • But at the same time, film has always been a labor of love, and cutting too many corners could ruin the art form entirely.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 22 May 2026
  • According to the researchers, even small variations can weaken the final structure or ruin an entire print.
    Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 22 May 2026
Adjective
  • The unfussy style features a sleek silhouette, complete with a scoop neckline and a moderate-coverage bottom.
    Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 24 May 2026
  • Alison Ortega threw a complete game with seven strikeouts in La Mirada’s 5-1 win over La Habra.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Total.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/total. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

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