total 1 of 3

adjective

ˈtō-tᵊl How to pronounce total (audio)
Definition of totalnext
1
as in absolute
having no exceptions or restrictions had total power over the people of that country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

total

2 of 3

noun

as in sum
a complete amount of something that's the total for our wheat harvest this year

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

total

3 of 3

verb

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

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
At least 350 supermarkets — a small fraction of the total number in France — were caught up in the strike. — Reuters, NBC news, 13 Oct. 2026 In February, the IMF separately warned that Beijing’s state subsidies were producing inefficient firms, with total subsidies amounting to some 4% of GDP. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Noun
Golden State center Kiah Stokes recorded four blocks in the first half to add to the team’s total of 10. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 18 Oct. 2026 Stockton’s two interceptions doubled his previous season total through six games. — Charles Odum, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
The port’s record September — totalling 1,042,652 containers — also represents the most volume ever moved through any port in the Western Hemisphere. — Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 Kansas totaled only 40 yards over its first six drives before the defense forced turnovers and got a fourth-down stop to breathe life into the Jayhawks’ offense. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for total
Recent Examples of Synonyms for total
  1. absolute
  2. entire
  3. thorough
  4. sum
  5. number
  6. add
  7. ruin
  8. complete
Adjective
  • Why were the conspiracy theorists about Courtney Love so inclined to believe the absolute worst about her?
    — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Wilson was an absolute fantasy monster with Harrison off the field last season, so his main concern becomes the inevitable QB switch to rookie Carson Beck.
    — Dalton Del Don, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of absolute
Adjective
  • Larsson has missed practice time and the final three preseason games because of his illness, and Smith missed the entire preseason after straining his calf during training camp.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2026
  • From elevating beds to expanding sections to sliding walls and even entire roofs, these 10 homes transform to get maximum use out of a compact space.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of entire
Adjective
  • As a critical first step, the intelligence committees should initiate a thorough oversight investigation into how the norm has been implemented in practice and the current administration’s adherence to its prohibitions.
    — DAVID S. COHEN, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The decision followed a thorough review of the current beverage industry trends, market conditions, and overall company business strategy.
    — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of thorough
Noun
  • Here, the seller advances a sum of money to the buyer’s lender, which then reduces the buyer’s mortgage rate for a certain period, usually a year or two.
    — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Some companies are loath to spend large sums of money on new equipment when there are no tangible benefits or savings.
    — Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of sum
Verb
  • Carmel-by-the-Sea just got numbered street addresses for the first time in its 110-year history.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images The researchers said the Adelie penguins of Cape Adare, on the other side of Antarctica, are now the world's largest penguin colony, numbering more than one million as of 2018.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of number
Verb
  • Janabi said one of the biggest challenges has been persuading those who are infected to seek medical assistance, adding that some deaths occur in the community outside of health centers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Small had 91 yards and a touchdown, while Dwyer added 150 yards.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of add
Verb
  • Artificial, though, ends with a scene that convincingly conveys the extent to which AI will ruin all our lives.
    — Julia Black, Vanity Fair, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The Civic, before it was smashed and ruined, had been a private world, an extension of myself.
    — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of ruin
Adjective
  • For more than 50 years, the house remained vacant, was ravaged by fire, and fell into complete disrepair.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Then again, the album’s 15-minute runtime presupposes a complete lasting impression isn’t the point.
    — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of complete

Phrases Containing total

Browse Nearby Words

tot
total
totaled
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Cite this Entry

“Total.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/total. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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