1
2
as in mementos
a lingering indication of something from the past
The spelling of "trough" is an artifact of the way it was originally pronounced.
Related Words
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 artifacts
Choudhary, a collector of contemporary art as well as Indian artifacts, considered a career in hospitality before he was seduced by the gems his family has traded for centuries.
—
Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
The dig revealed a stunning snapshot of the southern gate, complete with the fortifications around the city’s edge, exposing the entry point, a tollhouse, the terminus of the main street, and artifacts that continue to illuminate daily life in the former Swedish town.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2025
People from the Kansas City area who boarded the ship are highlighted on posters hanging on the walls next to artifacts like fragments of a first-class curtain, a door handle and a White Star Line envelope.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2025
The government doesn't like to as a rule, like showcase of assassin artifacts.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Then there is the wider moral question of whether historical artifacts should ever be intentionally destroyed.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
For Neal, whose scholarship explores Black cultural memory and ephemera, the exhibition also raises important questions about preservation and access to Black cultural artifacts.
—Amy Carleton, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025
In 2019, the Eiteljorg Museum hosted a repatriation ceremony of more than 350 artifacts to China.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025
From the central atrium, the Grand Staircase -- a six-story ascent lined with around 60 monumental artifacts including statues, sarcophagi, columns and stelae -- culminates in a view of Giza's three famous pyramids.
—Ayat Al-Tawy, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025
The dig revealed a stunning snapshot of the southern gate, complete with the fortifications around the city’s edge, exposing the entry point, a tollhouse, the terminus of the main street, and artifacts that continue to illuminate daily life in the former Swedish town.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 9 Nov. 2025
People from the Kansas City area who boarded the ship are highlighted on posters hanging on the walls next to artifacts like fragments of a first-class curtain, a door handle and a White Star Line envelope.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2025
The government doesn't like to as a rule, like showcase of assassin artifacts.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Then there is the wider moral question of whether historical artifacts should ever be intentionally destroyed.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
For Neal, whose scholarship explores Black cultural memory and ephemera, the exhibition also raises important questions about preservation and access to Black cultural artifacts.
—Amy Carleton, Charlotte Observer, 5 Nov. 2025
In 2019, the Eiteljorg Museum hosted a repatriation ceremony of more than 350 artifacts to China.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025
From the central atrium, the Grand Staircase -- a six-story ascent lined with around 60 monumental artifacts including statues, sarcophagi, columns and stelae -- culminates in a view of Giza's three famous pyramids.
—Ayat Al-Tawy, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for artifacts
Noun
-
But the traits of the Grotte à Hominidés fossils are more of a mix of new and old.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The fourth floor of the Texas Science and Natural History Museum is designed for reverence — fossils, minerals, evidence of deep time.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Specializing in full-color tattoos, Ibarra transforms beachfront inspiration into lasting mementos.—
Jessica Vadillo,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Some customers even left with mementos, taking the numbers off of their favorite tables.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Both are faithful tributes and stunning reminders of the simple beauty and deep history of each brand.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Everything from financial systems and relationships to our physical bodies could send subtle (or not-so-subtle) reminders that change is overdue.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The historic downtown is full of antique mining relics and quirky businesses.—
Jen Murphy,
Outside,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The square Edelman and fellow students dug in, after determining the spot might yield interesting relics, did produce tiles, pieces of ceramic and more.—
Helen I. Bennett,
Hartford Courant,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That, too, had echoes of last season, when City, the reigning champions, lost their way completely after a promising start, winning just one match out of 13 in all competitions between late October and late December.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Ditto the echoes of The Civil War, also examining a battle that pit brother against brother, and The Vietnam War, in which America became the occupying imperial force failing to understand or successfully combat a domestic insurgence.—
Daniel Fienberg,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Social media was flooded with remembrances of Cannon, but authorities have not publicly released information on the victims of the shooting, and Cannon’s status is not known.—
Jamie Landers,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Jan. 2026
-
In New York, auction house Sotheby’s brought some remembrances of those times to collectors, offering a selection that spans decades.—
Denny Alfonso,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Several Bay Area Venezuelans with temporary status contacted by this news organization declined to identify themselves, citing fear of reprisals from remnants of Venezuela’s government, which has a history of targeting political opponents.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
6 Jan. 2026
-
In time, however, the Venezuelan people may decide they don’t want to be governed by the remnants of Maduro’s corrupt regime, and the United States may be forced to choose between allowing that regime to repress the Venezuelan people or finding a way to facilitate a peaceful transfer of power.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The group has quite literally been split into two camps, separated by barbed wire, battlements, and corpses.—
Jack King,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2025
-
The corpses at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, one of the largest in Scotland, were affected by errors made at the hands of staff, according to the BBC, Sky News and The Guardian.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
27 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Artifacts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/artifacts. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share