Thesaurus results for TOTEMS

totems

noun

plural of totem

as in symbols

a device, design, or figure used as an identifying mark the bald eagle, that universally recognized totem of our country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 totems There’s Thresholds of India, which stars 6,000 historical artifacts like Nagaland wooden totems, Kerala masks, and Gujarati architectural motifs to name just a few. — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026 What remained were totems and symbols that were somehow infused with nobility. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 Each character is obscenely wealthy and politically influential, and both have important totems that are meant to express an ineluctable truth about them. — Manohla Dargis, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026 The Keeper collar, one of the brand’s bestsellers, can be reconfigured with different totems and tassels, while Moubayed expects the Totem chain to be another strong performer. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 15 Sep. 2026 If the likes of Richter, Immendorff, and Polke were established totems of German art when Koether was starting out, there were also younger figures in the limelight. — Barry Schwabsky, ARTnews.com, 8 Sep. 2026 Making the film made Wishnow rethink what the function of a critic is, especially in how Christgau describes what the two core totems of criticism are. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2026 The excessive proliferation of totems and masks as decor is more closely associated with Beachcomber offshoots and descendants in the ’50s and ’60s. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 As a result, his compositions have become strange totems of the internet, like global ringtones. — Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for totems

Noun

According to organizers, subjects covered include fig tree stranglers, various symbols of the underworld and evil-spirit resisters like fennel.

— Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Through bold color, pattern and craft, his chairs have evolved into vehicles of storytelling and symbols of heritage and belonging.

— Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of symbols

Noun

There is little in the way of cinematic inspiration, and the emphatic visual style with which the filmmakers aim to enliven the story life tends to turn characters into pristine emblems, albeit adorned with a few picturesque behavioral touches.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026
It’s paired with Frame’s signature Ritz Cigarette, a low-rise, slim silhouette in a dark indigo wash, finished with pocket embroidery and a removable gold charm keepsake chain featuring hotel emblems.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of emblems

Noun

The family currently holds more than 50 active trademarks for skin and hair care brands.

— Monika Evstatieva, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
Her distinctive costumes, turbans, platform shoes and rapid-fire singing style became instantly recognizable trademarks and opened the doors to Hollywood.

— Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of trademarks

Browse Nearby Words

totem

totems

totes

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Totems.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totems. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of totems

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes