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

The Sycamore Gap wasn't a particularly ancient tree, nor a native species, but its position gave it a totemic status.

From BBC • Jul. 14, 2025

Interspersed amid these totemic items were stray Q-tips and cotton balls, lip liners, Max Factor eye makeup, mascara, blush, and everything else I used in a losing battle to make myself beautiful.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides