totemic

adjective

to·​tem·​ic tō-ˈte-mik How to pronounce totemic (audio)
1
: of, relating to, suggestive of, or characteristic of a totem or totemism
a totemic animal
2
: based on or practicing totemism
totemic clan structure

Examples of totemic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Anyone can give us a new rendition of Dracula, but only the most dauntless artist would attempt their own interpretation of such a totemic version of Stoker’s creation. David Sims, The Atlantic, 24 Dec. 2024 The Diary of Anaïs Nin, a book that was clearly totemic for Lady in the Lake and for character and creator alike. Manuel Betancourt, Vulture, 23 Aug. 2024 Arguably the breakout star of the tournament, the 23-year-old Valencia keeper was totemic for Georgia on their run to the knockout stages. Jacob Whitehead, The Athletic, 3 July 2024 The leak of the audio was a totemic moment in the campaign and in Brown’s short premiership. David Runciman, Foreign Affairs, 22 July 2013 See all Example Sentences for totemic 

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of totemic was in 1846

Dictionary Entries Near totemic

Cite this Entry

“Totemic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/totemic. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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