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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
In total, the hospital has some 20 providers that care for 24,000 patients. Solcyré Burga, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025 This means the total number of Texas cases linked to the outbreak in roughly two months has surpassed the number confirmed for the entirety of last year in the U.S., which saw 285 cases nationwide, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
Debate for each office lasted about a half hour, with the event lasting about three hours in total. Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2025 There are a couple of caveats there, as CBS was the sole broadcaster for the tournament until 2011 and Nielsen didn’t include out-of-home ratings in its totals until a few years ago. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
The Warriors totaled its second-lowest single-game point total of the season — 86 points on 39.8 percent shooting from the field and 9-of-38 (23.7 percent) shooting from three-point range — on Tuesday. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2025 Dollar Tree said its net sales for continuing operations — its namesake brand — totaled $5 billion for the quarter, while same-stores sales climbed 2%. Jacob Pramuk, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for total
Recent Examples of Synonyms for total
Adjective
  • Donald Trump has made similarly absolute statements on taxation as did George H. W. Bush.
    The Editors, National Review, 1 Apr. 2025
  • With no clear signs of downside exhaustion in our indicators, either in absolute or relative terms, further weakness and underperformance appears likely for Japanese equities in the near term.
    Katie Stockton, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The brand even dedicated an entire collection to them: The Secret Garden, where gourmand and floral elements intertwine.
    Danielle James, Vogue, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Over a dozen new horror movies are dropping on Pluto, including the entire Paranormal Activity franchise (yes, even Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones), plus 30 Days of Night and its sequel 30 Days of Night: Dark Days, and the Gary Oldman-starring Bram Stoker's Dracula.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • That sometimes interferes with their ability to conduct a thorough audit, because in their mind the risks of UNAX outweigh the benefit to their examination.
    Bruce Brumberg, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The shelter wrote on Facebook that the three animals received thorough veterinary checkups and treatments to address their minor health issues.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In sum, that’s far less density on the site than the 1,000 units existing zoning allows for, Martin told the commissioners.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 23 Mar. 2025
  • In an era where physical and digital purchases have largely been overshadowed by streaming, that number stands out as one of the biggest first-week sales sums of the year.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Infected birds are being culled nationwide, sometimes numbering in the millions at a single location.
    Veronica Bravo, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2025
  • But with morale on the lot dangerously low, industrywide chatter and numerous reports suggests that De Luca and Abdy’s days running Warner Bros. could be numbered.
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • FinCEN also specifically added domestic companies—those entities formed in the U.S.—to the list of exempted entities.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025
  • The reports follow Gurman's earlier reports that Apple is also considering adding cameras and AI features to its AirPods.
    Will McCurdy, PCMAG, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2025
  • But those stocks were mined with some gusto, and large portions of the island were essentially ruined.
    Nick Miller, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This semi sheer curtain panel is an ideal solution for anyone who’s looking to filter in light without sacrificing privacy.
    Megan Schaltegger, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Mar. 2025
  • The film captures the sheer physical toll of the journey, with men battling not just the elements but each other, as fear and desperation set in.
    Travis Bean, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Total.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/total. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.

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