totality

noun

tō-ˈta-lə-tē How to pronounce totality (audio)
Definition of totalitynext
as in total
a complete amount of something the totality of the stars in the universe can only be loosely guessed at

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 totality For many skywatchers, the difference between 96% and 100% will be surprisingly subtle — the complete opposite to a total solar eclipse, where a 99% eclipse bears no resemblance whatsoever to totality. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 As the media huddled around his locker in Wrigley Field’s underground home clubhouse, Crow-Armstrong raised his eyes, chuckled and shook his head at the totality of the scene. — Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 This land of wide open spaces, ancient churches and castles, and vast sunflower fields, all baking under the blinding August Sun, seemed like the perfect location to enter the path of totality. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026 But at no point will there be lunar totality—when the entire lunar surface falls under Earth’s shadow. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for totality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for totality
  1. total
  2. sum
  3. whole
Noun
  • The center near the Pentagon had an annual budget of $7 million, officials said, with the cross-command total for all civilian security work estimated at around $80 million before the cuts.
    — Megan Rose, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The case comes amid a spike in measles infections in the United States, with 2,777 cases this year, the highest total since 1991.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of total
Noun
  • Billionaires can volunteer large sums of cash without being forced to do so.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The law helps level the playing field somewhat by letting candidates make their cases to voters who watch broadcast TV without needing to raise exorbitant sums of money.
    — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sum
Noun
  • By 16 August, fire and rescue services in England and Wales had been called to 1,132 wildfires this year, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council – that’s more than the record-breaking 1,017 for the whole of last year.
    — Chas Newkey-Burden, TheWeek, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Newsom has kicked off debate over far-reaching proposals that could impact Californians’ home insurance prices, utility bills and who makes their community whole when electrical equipment sparks a wildfire that sweeps into their town.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of whole

Browse Nearby Words

totalities
totality
totalize
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Cite this Entry

“Totality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/totality. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on totality

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about totality

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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