as in autopsies
examination of a dead body especially to find out the cause of death
a necropsy failed to definitively establish a cause of death
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Recent Examples of necropsies
Of 50 cormorants submitted to the lab for necropsies from May 2025 to April 2026, 46 were juvenile, one was an adult and the rest were in a condition too poor to determine.
—
Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
The necropsies also revealed pneumonia and infections from a broad array of pathogens.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
Flannery added that the pending necropsies had initial indications of injuries often caused by vessel strikes.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Most of the cases remain under investigation, with several whales found in areas too difficult to access for full necropsies.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
On Wednesday, the canines were turned over to a forensic veterinarian, where necropsies are currently being conducted along with DNA testing, the release said.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
The agency said necropsies were completed and the horse carcasses were buried.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Gwinnett County Police Department After a series of veterinary examinations and necropsies, authorities obtained 12 felony warrants and 14 misdemeanor warrants for 67-year-old Christine Abbott and 65-year-old Donna Slavin.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
The algae blooms even affected whales, with at least two found dead on beaches in Southern California, necropsies confirming high levels of toxins.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
The necropsies also revealed pneumonia and infections from a broad array of pathogens.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 May 2026
Flannery added that the pending necropsies had initial indications of injuries often caused by vessel strikes.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
Most of the cases remain under investigation, with several whales found in areas too difficult to access for full necropsies.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
On Wednesday, the canines were turned over to a forensic veterinarian, where necropsies are currently being conducted along with DNA testing, the release said.
—Francie Ebert, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026
The agency said necropsies were completed and the horse carcasses were buried.
—Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 31 Jan. 2026
Gwinnett County Police Department After a series of veterinary examinations and necropsies, authorities obtained 12 felony warrants and 14 misdemeanor warrants for 67-year-old Christine Abbott and 65-year-old Donna Slavin.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025
The algae blooms even affected whales, with at least two found dead on beaches in Southern California, necropsies confirming high levels of toxins.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for necropsies
autopsies
Noun
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On Monday, autopsies were performed, the Coroner’s Office said, with preliminary findings indicating that all three individuals had injuries consistent with a motor vehicle collision.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
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The children's autopsies could not confirm or rule out death from drowning because the cause was difficult to determine, according to Fox 26 Houston and Click2 Houston.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Necropsies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/necropsies. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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