as in tombstones
a shaped stone laid over or erected near a grave and usually bearing an inscription to identify and preserve the memory of the deceased
we love to tour old cemeteries and read the hauntingly poetic inscriptions on the gravestones
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 gravestones
Swapping gravestones for fieldstones That trend — along with a desire to improve deathcare — led Connell to partner with Ed Bixby, owner of Steelmantown Church in New Jersey, which operates several green cemeteries nationwide.
—
Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
Many of the gravestones in this makeshift cemetery have no full names, only the fighter's nom de guerre, because they were buried in the haste of war.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 17 May 2026
On the paths between gravestones are colored footprints, as if left by cartoon characters.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The tornado ripped off roofs, flattened trees and toppled gravestones at the Belton Cemetery.
—Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
With the thieves and vandals digging up gravestones and stealing plaques made of precious metals, Bishop has spent an extraordinary amount of money on repairs, security and maintenance.
—Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Many gravestones were broken and lay crumbled on the ground.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Brothers Keith and Terrence Nicks were found guilty by separate juries of desecration of human remains, removal of human remains and removal of more than 10 gravestones and markers.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
These days, Grant doesn't get many of her recipes from researching gravestones herself.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
Many of the gravestones in this makeshift cemetery have no full names, only the fighter's nom de guerre, because they were buried in the haste of war.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 17 May 2026
On the paths between gravestones are colored footprints, as if left by cartoon characters.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The tornado ripped off roofs, flattened trees and toppled gravestones at the Belton Cemetery.
—Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
With the thieves and vandals digging up gravestones and stealing plaques made of precious metals, Bishop has spent an extraordinary amount of money on repairs, security and maintenance.
—Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Many gravestones were broken and lay crumbled on the ground.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Brothers Keith and Terrence Nicks were found guilty by separate juries of desecration of human remains, removal of human remains and removal of more than 10 gravestones and markers.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
These days, Grant doesn't get many of her recipes from researching gravestones herself.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gravestones
Noun
-
Workmen are erecting identical marble tombstones.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
In 1975, the museum purchased his work Georgia Gate, a structure of fluidly bent pine staves inspired by photos of Georgia tombstones the artist saw in musicologist Marshall Stearns’s 1970 book The Story of Jazz.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Trump is also using government money to build monuments for himself.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
16 May 2026
-
The idea of a waiting period is common for monuments and memorials.—
Kelsey Ables,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gravestones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gravestones. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
