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
many of the headstones were for children who had died during the influenza epidemic
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of headstones
While dismantling the graveyard, in 1824, the headstones were removed, but the bodies remained.
—
Sarah Kyrcz,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2026
Hudspeth and other volunteers took over the cleanup by picking up leaves and fallen branches and cleaning broken and toppled headstones.
—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 June 2026
Only about 30% of the headstones are legible.
—
Dawn White,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
Dozens of mourners attended a memorial service in western Belgium on Wednesday during which six new white marble headstones were dedicated to the British soldiers whose remains were recently identified through the use of archival research and DNA analysis.
—
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Stroll through the grounds for free and admire the intricate headstones and mausoleums.
—
Krista Simmons,
Travel + Leisure,
6 June 2026
In 1948, the Army named the regiment as its official ceremonial unit and since then The Old Guard, along with some participants from other branches of the military, has annually placed flags at soldiers' headstones.
—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
23 May 2026
Without headstones, Loving Earth will not look like a conventional cemetery.
—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating vandalism at Old Memphis Cemetery in Palmetto, where deputies say 17 grave sites were damaged with broken and knocked-down headstones, graffiti and damaged concrete.
—
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Sarah Kyrcz,
Hartford Courant,
28 June 2026
Hudspeth and other volunteers took over the cleanup by picking up leaves and fallen branches and cleaning broken and toppled headstones.
—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 June 2026
Only about 30% of the headstones are legible.
—
Dawn White,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
Dozens of mourners attended a memorial service in western Belgium on Wednesday during which six new white marble headstones were dedicated to the British soldiers whose remains were recently identified through the use of archival research and DNA analysis.
—
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Stroll through the grounds for free and admire the intricate headstones and mausoleums.
—
Krista Simmons,
Travel + Leisure,
6 June 2026
In 1948, the Army named the regiment as its official ceremonial unit and since then The Old Guard, along with some participants from other branches of the military, has annually placed flags at soldiers' headstones.
—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
23 May 2026
Without headstones, Loving Earth will not look like a conventional cemetery.
—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating vandalism at Old Memphis Cemetery in Palmetto, where deputies say 17 grave sites were damaged with broken and knocked-down headstones, graffiti and damaged concrete.
—
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headstones
Noun
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The skies are gloomy and overcast, fitting for a trip among the tombstones.
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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.
Noun
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All over the globe, whether in distant seaports, capitals, mega-cities, villages, town squares, or central parks, prominent monuments to various individuals from history are featured.
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Visitors can also learn about the cemetery’s historic monuments, artistic stone carvings and the preservation efforts that help protect the important cultural resource.
Cite this Entry
“Headstones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headstones. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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