as in symbol
a device, design, or figure used as an identifying mark
the bald eagle, that universally recognized totem of our country
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of totem
Each piece of the totems unscrews along a central spine so that owners can connect or remove elements.
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Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2024
Discussing Peters’ return, Schaeffer gave the actor credit for adding both emotional and physical nuance to the character, describing an animal skull totem Bohner carries to ward off black magic that Peters created on set.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 19 Oct. 2024
Abroad, however, her sculptural totem necklaces have been capturing the attention of aficionados in the U.S. and Europe since their launch in 2022.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2024
The show is greater proof that, at 35 years old, Butler has become a totem of success.
—Nick Mafi, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for totem 
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2024
Discussing Peters’ return, Schaeffer gave the actor credit for adding both emotional and physical nuance to the character, describing an animal skull totem Bohner carries to ward off black magic that Peters created on set.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 19 Oct. 2024
Abroad, however, her sculptural totem necklaces have been capturing the attention of aficionados in the U.S. and Europe since their launch in 2022.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2024
The show is greater proof that, at 35 years old, Butler has become a totem of success.
—Nick Mafi, Architectural Digest, 3 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for totem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totem
Noun
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Bitcoin is rallying on Trump’s victory Trump took a pro-bitcoin stance throughout his campaign, championing the digital currency as a symbol of financial independence and an alternative to traditional banking.Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024
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Yet Harris' ascent to the White House has resonated deeply with local women who see her as a symbol of possibility.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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One famous user was Uschi Obermaier, a model who lived on various communes in West Germany and became an emblem of left-wing radicalism in the late sixties.Ed Caesar, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024
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The complex draws hundreds of thousands of tourists annually—particularly to the Angkor Wat temple, an emblem of centuries-old design and urban planning.Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The cover—a monochrome portrait of Jobs, closed hand to chin, with a multicolor Fortune logo layered over it—has become an instantly recognizable icon of tech.Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024
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The Grammy winner, 34, showed her support for Kelce, 35, by rocking a vintage-style jacket decked out in Chiefs imagery and colors, including a large arrowhead logo on the back and red and gold sleeves.Hedy Phillips, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The ability to drag fringe ideas and theories into mainstream political discourse has long been a hallmark of X, even back when it was known as Twitter.Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024
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Transactional The hallmark of transactional leadership is giving a clear objective and then rewarding or punishing employees based on performance.Jason Miller, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
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The filing also details the company's legal proceedings, including a favorable judgment in a trademark infringement lawsuit.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024
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The music video stars the pygmy hippopotamus, who lives at a zoo in Thailand, bouncing around in her trademark style in a loop.Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Totem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totem. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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