TOTAL Synonyms: 351 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: How does the word 'all' relate to other synonyms for 'total'?

All may equal whole , entire , or total . // all proceeds go to charity

Q: 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

Q: 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

total 1 of 3

adjective

ˈtō-tᵊl

Definition of total

as in absolute

having no exceptions or restrictions had total power over the people of that country

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

total

3 of 3

verb

as in to number

to have a total of two and two total four

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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

Please adjust the total quantity of ‌iPhone Duo‌ in your order before checking out. — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026 The Challenge Beneath The Opportunity As compelling as the case for total automation may seem, a critical tipping point exists where hyper-efficiency begins to destroy value. — Syed Ahmad, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Noun

Falcons sticking to Robinson on first down Thus far, the Falcons have had three first-down plays and have run running back Bijan Robinson on each, gaining a total of 22 yards. — AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026 The Broncos’ defense ended with four sacks for 37 yards — led by junior defensive lineman Lopez Sanusi’s two — and seven tackles for loss for a total of 44 yards. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026

Verb

The company generated $70 billion in free cash flow in the first half of this year, while AMD totaled just over $4 billion and Google parent Alphabet went cash flow negative in the second quarter to fund its buildout. — Kif Leswing,isabel O'Brien, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026 Rafael Cabral totaled two saves for Real Salt Lake (11-14-6), which began the day one spot away from a postseason berth in the Western Conference. — ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for total

Recent Examples of Synonyms for total

Adjective

The slap on the wrist capped an otherwise strong Celtics debut for the nine-time All-Star, who was putting on an absolute clinic.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
The Milanese Suite combines elegance and spaciousness with absolute comfort.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of absolute

Adjective

Charlotte was down by 35 points after three quarters, and the entire fourth quarter amounted to garbage time.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
One of them is José Antonio Bañuelos-Díaz, 42, who applied for citizenship in October 2025 after living in the country for 40 years and spending his entire adult life as a legal permanent resident.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of entire

Adjective

But their 20-3 loss to the Seahawks (4-3) was so thorough, unsightly and disillusioning as to render the 5-0 run-up to it entirely suspect — especially considering the Chiefs’ thorny schedule ahead.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Under the existing two-step process, competing teams must include thorough engineering and financial details as part of their proposals before NASA selects finalists for further study.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of thorough

Noun

SpaceX is seeking to raise an extra $40 billion in debt to help fund the campaign, but even fans on Wall Street question how SpaceX will raise the massive sums required.

— Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
Attorneys for New Mexico had sought $35 billion to $40 billion, arguing that the company would only change its ways with a sum that affected its stock price.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of sum

Verb

Senior receiver/defensive back Daivon Douglas and senior running back/nose guard Jeremiah Jackson lead a small contingent for the Tomacts, numbering just 22 for the regular-season finale.

— Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
One said applications numbered in the thousands, exceeding available positions.

— CBS News, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of number

Verb

To fix the chemical interference, the research team added a decoupling modulator molecule featuring ammonium ions, iodide ions, and two sulfonate groups to the precursor solution.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026
The victory also adds another chapter to Lula's long political career, securing him a fourth, nonconsecutive presidential term.

— Catherine Osborn, NPR, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of add

Verb

Burdick seemed to have drawn directly from McCarthy’s experience, the hopelessness of fighting with his father over a world his father had already ruined, the surrender to indulgence and mindless violence because…why not?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Each room is also outfitted with a Yale smart lock, which means there’s no room for that horrible feeling of losing a room key to ruin your vacation.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of ruin

Adjective

Ethiopia’s coffee authority is compiling data, but the process is not complete.

— Damian Zane, semafor.com, 26 Oct. 2026
In practice, that can look like AI pulling together updates from ticketing systems, documentation, source control and incident platforms to give teams a more complete view of progress and risk.

— Joel Burleson-Davis, Forbes.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of complete

Browse Nearby Words

tot

total

totaled

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Style

“Total.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/total. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of total

adjective

noun

verb

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Synonyms of total

adjective

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing total

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Cite this Entry

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