Definition of sarcophagusnext
as in casket
a boxlike container for holding a dead body the crypt under the abbey church contains the sarcophagus of the monastery's founding abbot

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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 sarcophagus Poor Katie becomes a living human sacrifice and placed inside a sarcophagus, her body used as a flesh prison for an ancient demon. Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2026 The rub is that she was recovered inside a 3,000-year-old sarcophagus. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2026 Cronin takes the legend of the mummy out of its sarcophagus by removing it from Egypt and throwing it into a domestic American home. Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026 Eight years later, she is found alive, wrapped up inside a sarcophagus. Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sarcophagus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sarcophagus
Noun
  • The body was placed in a casket draped in the Islamic Republic’s flag and encased in glass.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • Khamenei’s casket was displayed Tuesday in Qom, the Iranian seat of religious scholarship, and Iranian officials have said funeral events will take place Wednesday in Iraq, which is home to two of the holiest shrines for Shiites.
    Garrett Haake, NBC news, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • At the ages of 15 and 12, the brothers walked shoulder-to-shoulder behind their mother Princess Diana's coffin in 1997.
    Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Mourners chanted non-stop, with no sign of the ayatollah’s coffin more than an hour after the procession’s official start time.
    Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • This brings the total tombs uncovered at the Marina el-Alamein site to 48, said The Guardian.
    Lea Tran, TheWeek, 10 July 2026
  • Ending his life this way, in a desert tomb of family memories, would be tragically fitting, but John Sugar’s in town to facilitate a redemption arc.
    Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 July 2026

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“Sarcophagus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sarcophagus. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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