totemic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For his followers, Nemtsov is a totemic figure in Russian political life -- seen as a once-future leader who might have taken the country on a different path.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

Mandelson, a totemic figure on the left of British politics, was photographed being escorted from a property in London by police officers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

He said the case "became sort of totemic of the distraction of issues that it felt like a different part of government were fascinated by".

From BBC • Jan. 2, 2026

High-rise New York apartments have acquired totemic significance for the superrich.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2025

Aureliano Segundo was the unconquered eater until the luckless Saturday when Camila Sagastume appeared, a totemic female known all through the land by the good name of “The Elephant.”

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez