as in memorial
a special structure or statue that is built to remind people of a dead person who is buried somewhere else
Related Words
Relevance
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 cenotaph
Tombs were frequently located by the sea, especially cenotaphs – empty graves meant to memorialize those who died at sea and whose bodies could not be recovered.
—
Marie-Claire Beaulieu, The Conversation, 28 July 2025
Instead of the vast open space, there are now hundreds of near identical cenotaphs, each featuring the name and a picture of a victim.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 7 Oct. 2024
Her bed has become her grave, a tomb beneath the ceiling of her room,
the ceiling a cenotaph.
—Mosab Abu Toha, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024
Hundreds of others squared up to police with shields at the town's cenotaph, throwing bricks, cans and pots at officers.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 5 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cenotaph
Marie-Claire Beaulieu, The Conversation, 28 July 2025
Instead of the vast open space, there are now hundreds of near identical cenotaphs, each featuring the name and a picture of a victim.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 7 Oct. 2024
Her bed has become her grave, a tomb beneath the ceiling of her room,
the ceiling a cenotaph.
—Mosab Abu Toha, The New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2024
Hundreds of others squared up to police with shields at the town's cenotaph, throwing bricks, cans and pots at officers.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 5 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for cenotaph
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cenotaph
Noun
-
At least 42 anti-ICE protesters were arrested Saturday after chaos unfolded outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, following a memorial for Minneapolis residents Renee Good and Alex Pretti, who were fatally shot by federal agents last month.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Volunteers sitting by a burning fire guard the memorial around the clock.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Of course, there are a few famous postmortem monuments, including the Lincoln Memorial and Mount Rushmore.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Within its walls lies a complete world with its own medical facilities, a cinema, shops, and large replicas of iconic monuments, including the Taj Mahal and the Eiffel Tower.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cenotaph.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cenotaph. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
