as in monument
a shaped stone laid over or erected near a grave and usually bearing an inscription to identify and preserve the memory of the deceased
the historic cemetery's many tombstones marking the graves of children are telling reminders of the harshness of pioneer life
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Recent Examples of tombstone
Their names are listed in the African American Museum’s exhibit, but not at the cemetery as there are no tombstones left there – except for a few.
—
Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026
Unless a slang term emerges from a popular movie, pinpointing an exact date of birth is difficult (hence the question marks on the tombstone).
—Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
On a clear morning in March 2018, Betsy Brenner visited Mount Nebo Memorial Park in suburban Denver to locate the tombstone of Judy Goldberg.
—Thomas Koetting, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026
On a tombstone at Bath Abbey in England LaFee is vice president of communications for the Sanford Burnham Prebys research institute.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tombstone
Dallas Morning News, 31 Jan. 2026
Unless a slang term emerges from a popular movie, pinpointing an exact date of birth is difficult (hence the question marks on the tombstone).
—Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 25 Jan. 2026
On a clear morning in March 2018, Betsy Brenner visited Mount Nebo Memorial Park in suburban Denver to locate the tombstone of Judy Goldberg.
—Thomas Koetting, jsonline.com, 23 Jan. 2026
On a tombstone at Bath Abbey in England LaFee is vice president of communications for the Sanford Burnham Prebys research institute.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tombstone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tombstone
Noun
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For all the thunderclap significance of 1848, Seneca Falls is a monument to women’s patience and frustration, and to the friendships that were needed to sustain their movement through the decades ahead.—
Beverly Gage,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
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Some 30,000 faithful gathered outside the pagan monument, following the stations as they were recited over loudspeakers.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Inside, design inspiration comes from classic cinema, with rustic parquet floors, lacquered timbers, and local stones.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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Officer Hilton then allegedly lifted the man from the ground by his jacket, turned him around, walked him backward, and shoved him, causing the man to fall onto his back and down approximately three stone steps.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The plaque also holds the names of Singer, Nachlas, Wigder, Thomson and council member Yvette Drucker.—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
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The marble plaque is improbably specific.—
Selina Denman,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tombstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tombstone. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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