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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Recent Examples of epitaph
The black-and-white clip featured the late John Belushi, dressed as an old man, walking around a graveyard memorializing his co-stars with goofy, sardonic epitaphs; Belushi, of course, preceded most of them in death, giving the comedy a somber tone.
—
Esther Zuckerman, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2025
His strength of convictions was his epitaph.
—Tyler Kepner, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025
In retrospect, however, Obama’s speech looks less like the dawn of a new era than an epitaph for a brief period of hope that was rapidly coming to an end.
—Joshua Keating, Vox, 15 Jan. 2025
The flood of late-night epitaphs respectfully flatters his image as a humble servant but doesn't explain the complexity of his character.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for epitaph
Esther Zuckerman, The Atlantic, 17 Feb. 2025
His strength of convictions was his epitaph.
—Tyler Kepner, The Athletic, 4 Feb. 2025
In retrospect, however, Obama’s speech looks less like the dawn of a new era than an epitaph for a brief period of hope that was rapidly coming to an end.
—Joshua Keating, Vox, 15 Jan. 2025
The flood of late-night epitaphs respectfully flatters his image as a humble servant but doesn't explain the complexity of his character.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for epitaph
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epitaph
inscription
Noun
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This year’s dedication will include the first inscription on the new memorial: David C. Houck, a 22-year-old U.S. Army Supply Specialist who passed away earlier this year while preparing for Ranger School.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2025
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One bears an ancient Greek inscription, from the practice of using parts of ancient temples as building materials.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Epitaph.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epitaph. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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