epitaph

as in inscription
something inscribed on a gravestone in memory of a dead person The epitaph reads "In loving memory of John Gray: husband, father, soldier."

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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 epitaph Advocates can postulate that, absent the resolve of the United States to fight in Vietnam, even in a losing cause, the Soviet Union and China would have been emboldened to invade and conquer America, Western Europe and Japan, writing an epitaph for freedom. Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2025 The Executive may succeed for a time in weakening the courts, but over time history will script the tragic gap between what was and all that might have been, and law in time will sign its epitaph. Time Staff, Time, 18 Apr. 2025 See treasures Human remains that had been burned were also found inside the tomb, along with grave goods like a black-glazed porcelain basin, a white porcelain cup, a bronze mirror, a jade hairpin, a wooden comb and an epitaph, or tombstone. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025 Read: The Houthis’ dream come true Ibn Khaldun’s insight may end up providing an epitaph for the current round of fighting. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for epitaph
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epitaph
inscription
Noun
  • Newer gemstones, for example, sometimes carry a laser inscription inside that can be evaluated in a lab.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
  • One 12th-century coin bears an inscription referencing King Knut Eriksson, while another coin from the island of Gotland depicts a church.
    Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025

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“Epitaph.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epitaph. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.

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