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
an engraved stone identified the grave as that of a man who had died in the Influenza Epidemic of 1918-19
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of stones
Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 15 June 2026
The diamonds finally arrived in April 2026, carrying a significance that went far beyond the finished stones themselves.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
Those reality checks are regularly referenced as formative stepping stones for all-time greats who went on to win four championships apiece.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026
Calls to mind the adage that people who live in glass houses ought not throw stones!
—Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
The stones or rocks produce the overall strength of the blacktop.
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2026
Diamonds are often sold in parcels, and there are thousands of stones in these parcels, especially at the smaller sizes.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
The ancient Jewish burial practice of leaving visitation stones at a gravesite has many interpretations, but is often used as a form of remembrance.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 June 2026
As Inga grows to adulthood the biggest dam has destroyed the lake’s shoreline, leaving it muddy and covered with stones.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Noun
Build a Wall Building a small retaining wall–type barrier with bricks, stones, or breeze blocks can be a good and aesthetically pleasing option, but make sure to build up on only two sides of the AC unit.
—Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 15 June 2026
The diamonds finally arrived in April 2026, carrying a significance that went far beyond the finished stones themselves.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
Those reality checks are regularly referenced as formative stepping stones for all-time greats who went on to win four championships apiece.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026
Calls to mind the adage that people who live in glass houses ought not throw stones!
—Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
The stones or rocks produce the overall strength of the blacktop.
—Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2026
Diamonds are often sold in parcels, and there are thousands of stones in these parcels, especially at the smaller sizes.
—Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
The ancient Jewish burial practice of leaving visitation stones at a gravesite has many interpretations, but is often used as a form of remembrance.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 June 2026
As Inga grows to adulthood the biggest dam has destroyed the lake’s shoreline, leaving it muddy and covered with stones.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stones
Noun
-
The Pontiac Gazette newspaper in Oakland County reported storm damage included apple and peach trees uprooted or twisted, churches destroyed, and cemetery tombstones blown down.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
26 May 2026
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Some of those tombstones explicitly referred to a pestilence as the cause of death.—
Marc Zimmer,
The Conversation,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Wellman said using Stellantis' system actually sharpens his attention behind the wheel.—
Jackie Charniga,
USA Today,
10 Dec. 2025
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With jazz stars like Christian McBride, Cécile McLorin Salvant and Tyshawn Sorey calling her for gigs, every new challenge sharpens an artist who has sliced through the noise to flourish as a full-spectrum creative force.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
5 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The involuntary drivers of the buses that had become momentary monuments fist-bumped the fans who streamed past them.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
This city not only stands out for its vibrant nightlife but also for its rich history, reflected in its monuments and culture.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
Verb
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However, the Emira edges past the Cayman in the pedal box.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
-
Skies will turn partly cloudy by afternoon, but the real weather shift comes Friday as tropical moisture from a Gulf disturbance edges closer.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 July 2025
Verb
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At The Happy Crane, Parry gives the char siu treatment to rich Iberico pork jowl, steams and grinds his own rice for the crab rice roll, and tosses Monterey abalone and Jimmy Nardello peppers into a smoking wok with XO sauce.—
Becky Duffett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 June 2026
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Not necessarily that the basketball becomes easier, but each minute is so tense, both teams are so focused and each possession is so tight that the winner is often decided by which team — or player — can execute when the game grinds to a halt.—
Tim Rohan,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stones. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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