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
we love to tour old cemeteries and read the hauntingly poetic inscriptions on the gravestones
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Recent Examples of gravestones
Haunted Mansion props on the parade floats will include the conservatory casket, cryptic gravestones, gargoyle candleholders, haunted armor and stretching room portraits, according to the concept art.
—
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
Swapping gravestones for fieldstones That trend — along with a desire to improve deathcare — led Connell to partner with Ed Bixby, owner of Steelmantown Church in New Jersey, which operates several green cemeteries nationwide.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
Many of the gravestones in this makeshift cemetery have no full names, only the fighter's nom de guerre, because they were buried in the haste of war.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 17 May 2026
On the paths between gravestones are colored footprints, as if left by cartoon characters.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The tornado ripped off roofs, flattened trees and toppled gravestones at the Belton Cemetery.
—Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
With the thieves and vandals digging up gravestones and stealing plaques made of precious metals, Bishop has spent an extraordinary amount of money on repairs, security and maintenance.
—Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Many gravestones were broken and lay crumbled on the ground.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Brothers Keith and Terrence Nicks were found guilty by separate juries of desecration of human remains, removal of human remains and removal of more than 10 gravestones and markers.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
Swapping gravestones for fieldstones That trend — along with a desire to improve deathcare — led Connell to partner with Ed Bixby, owner of Steelmantown Church in New Jersey, which operates several green cemeteries nationwide.
—Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 18 May 2026
Many of the gravestones in this makeshift cemetery have no full names, only the fighter's nom de guerre, because they were buried in the haste of war.
—Emily Feng, NPR, 17 May 2026
On the paths between gravestones are colored footprints, as if left by cartoon characters.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The tornado ripped off roofs, flattened trees and toppled gravestones at the Belton Cemetery.
—Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
With the thieves and vandals digging up gravestones and stealing plaques made of precious metals, Bishop has spent an extraordinary amount of money on repairs, security and maintenance.
—Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 12 Apr. 2026
Many gravestones were broken and lay crumbled on the ground.
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Brothers Keith and Terrence Nicks were found guilty by separate juries of desecration of human remains, removal of human remains and removal of more than 10 gravestones and markers.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gravestones
Noun
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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
-
The veil of past and present, for example, takes an abstract turn in Altar I, while Todos los santos (Para subir al Cielo) shows a cemetery with various cross-shaped tombstones, with a ladder leaning on a wall spectrally overlaid on the image.—
Maximilíano Durón,
ARTnews.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
In Istanbul, a corn vendor is pulling bigger crowds than some of the city’s monuments.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
6 June 2026
-
As his birthday approached, social media was flooded with the hashtag #RaúlesRaúl, a political figure who has long been adverse to birthdays, monuments and statues, just like his brother.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gravestones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gravestones. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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