1
as in absolute
having no exceptions or restrictions
had total power over the people of that country
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in entire
not lacking any part or member that properly belongs to it
gave us a total rundown of the events
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in thorough
trying all possibilities
this was total war as far as the military was concerned, and no weapons system was off-limits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sum
a complete amount of something
that's the total for our wheat harvest this year
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to number
to have a total of
two and two total four
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to add
to combine (numbers) into a single sum
total all the receipts and tell me how much I owe you
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to ruin
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
a powerful hurricane totaled the house some years ago
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Tony East, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
In total, the order-to-installation turnaround takes around a month.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2025
Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
The federal agency has reported a total of 164 cases in 2025 up to February 27, spread between Texas, Rhode Island, New York, New Mexico, New Jersey, Kentucky, Georgia, California, Alaska and Washington.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Gary Collins, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025
That totaled $51 billion for all imports during 2018, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, a nonprofit research organization.
—Jack Randall, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for total
Adjective
Indiana played their final postseason game on May 27, 2024 – in total, their 2023-24 journey lasted over eight months.
—Tony East, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
In total, the order-to-installation turnaround takes around a month.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
Thursday's event raised $456K and the organization has raised a total of $10.2 million since it was created.
—Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 1 Mar. 2025
The federal agency has reported a total of 164 cases in 2025 up to February 27, spread between Texas, Rhode Island, New York, New Mexico, New Jersey, Kentucky, Georgia, California, Alaska and Washington.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Verb
Spotlight on Maryland asked Wilson whether the state should settle the thousands of possible claims that may total billions of dollars, which taxpayers and the state’s insurance carrier would have to pay.
—Gary Collins, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025
That totaled $51 billion for all imports during 2018, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research, a nonprofit research organization.
—Jack Randall, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for total
Recent Examples of Synonyms for total
Adjective
-
During the English-comprehension section, which requires absolute silence, air-traffic control suspends all takeoffs and landings.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Stats TFLs 7 Sacks 5 QB hits 10 Pressure rate 14.2% Snap rate 47.4% Eagles DT Tier 1 5 Chris Godwin Age: 29 Height: 6-1 Weight: 209 Godwin was on an absolute heater through seven games of 2024 and en route to a career year before a gruesome ankle dislocation ended his season and required surgery.—
Vic Tafur,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Every six months, the telescope will create a scan of the entire sky in 102 infrared colors, differentiating hundreds of millions of galaxies by their ancient light and heat signatures and compiling them into one complete map of the universe.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Having the entire quartet wrestling in the finals was special for Ericksen.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings.—
Keith Caulfield,
Billboard,
23 Feb. 2025
-
After a thorough makeover and the construction of seven new hotel rooms, The Viewpoint reopened in 2023.—
Marquita K. Harris,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Or in sum, uncivilized peoples of uncivilized spaces.—
Christine Winter,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2025
-
These superfans have always commanded a disproportionate sum of influence.—
Bing Chen,
TIME,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
By the time Bishop’s case went to trial, Carbon Nation’s core membership numbered barely more than a half dozen.—
David Peisner,
Rolling Stone,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Summary Punishment Action Requests, or SPARs in cop lingo, numbered 5,380 last year compared with 2,709 in 2023. SPARs aren’t used for the most serious cases of questionable police behavior, those involving use of deadly force, for example.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Graduate-student unions, which now represent more than 150,000 students nationwide, add another layer of uncertainty.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Justice added that the site demonstrates that President Donald Trump's Department of Education is putting power back in the hands of parents.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Sometimes, one bad person or a few bad people can ruin things for everybody.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The floods were also a disaster for businesses that lost valuable stock, like a local bookstore which saw $25,000 worth of books ruined, the BBC reported.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Catch up quick: In the mid-19th century, Crum — a chef at Moon's Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York — changed food history out of sheer frustration.—
Delano Massey,
Axios,
27 Feb. 2025
-
The cars were also judged on the basis of innovation, sheer sumptuousness, and importance, with nine experts voting on the results.—
Raphael Orlove,
Robb Report,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Total.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/total. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share