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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
The Lions had 246 total yards and 46 rushing yards against Green Bay. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 13 Sep. 2025 Duxbury was led by Rhinesmith, who finished 13-for-20 with 143 passing yards to go with two total touchdowns on the night. Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
Noun
Her group of friends all have young children as well, with 11 kids total among them, all ages 6 and under. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025 No one has topped that single-game total since. Noah White, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
Commissioner of Health Mike Totoraitis told council members overtime for his department has totaled $23,000, while Commissioner of Public Works Jerrel Kruschke reported $700,000 tied to his agency. Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 11 Sep. 2025 In total, the Warriors rushed for 485 yards, with three players (Jones-priest, Cobb, and Trintavious Hayes) totaling over 100 yards on the night. Chris Winters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for total
Recent Examples of Synonyms for total
Adjective
  • The first monthly jobs report released since McEntarfer’s ousting, the June jobs report, which initially reported a gain of 147,000 jobs, has now been revised downward to just 14,000 jobs in the July revision and now an absolute decrease of 13,000 jobs in the August revision.
    Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
  • These genius finds are absolute miracle workers that not only cut down prep time and save space, but also make cooking a breeze.
    Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The entire series is available on Disney+, and Season 2 has 12 episodes, between 45 minutes and an hour each.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • But to be honest, one pump of either doesn’t cover my entire big face.
    Jessica Hartshorn, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Our department is committed to a thorough and impartial review.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2025
  • There were too many instances of big plays that could have been prevented had the initial tackle attempt been successful, and at the very least, a more thorough attempt would have helped slow the ball carrier down.
    Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • And if a player is Premier League-proven, there is also less hesitation to pay big sums of money to other domestic clubs.
    Pol Ballús, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Love Is Everything, Latest Greatest Straitest Hits, and One Step at a Time kept him from increasing his sum of leaders from five to eight by just one space.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The island is home to the Shompen, an indigenous people numbering between 200 and 400, who shun contact with outsiders and are among the last hunters, gatherers, and cultivators.
    M. Rajshekhar, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The first wave will number five thousand kits, shipped free to applicants in high-need zip codes.
    Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Testing in a model plant The team added the McG cycle genes to Arabidopsis thaliana, a small weed often used in plant research.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Vengathattil added that hospitals do not need to wait years to see the benefits.
    Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
    Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Our family has been ruined by Denise's lies of promising to end a year-long affair.
    Stephanie Wenger, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Maple and Francesca each opted for dresses, with the former donning a semi-sheer black number and the latter choosing a silky brown slip dress matching her father's color palette.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • This trend includes smaller, high-end homes and with buyers favoring places that offer meaningful features over sheer size or clout.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Total.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/total. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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