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
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Recent Examples of headstones
Originally a cemetary, the headstones were removed in the late 1960s to make way for a park.
—
Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
Many of the burial sites are unmarked or have rocks in place of headstones.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Dec. 2025
Those with loved ones at Lafayette Cemetery in Grindstone told KDKA that maintenance crews drove heavy machinery over headstones and graves, cracking some while breaking decorations and damaging American flags.
—Erika Stanish, CBS News, 4 Dec. 2025
Strathroy | Istock | Getty Images For nearly a century, John Dioguardi’s family has been making custom headstones and other memorial markers at Rome Monument in western Pennsylvania.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 30 Nov. 2025
But there were obvious omissions; people with military headstones — the type engraved with a name, a branch and a war fought — weren’t on the list.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 11 Nov. 2025
Israeli soldiers bulldozed the cemetery down the road with no headstones visible to indicate who is buried where.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
National cemeteries will continue burials, and families can still apply for markers, headstones and burial benefits.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Children play among headstones, and locals see ornate mausoleums daily on their way to run errands; the graveyards woven into public life as parks and libraries are in other cities.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Dec. 2025
Many of the burial sites are unmarked or have rocks in place of headstones.
—Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Dec. 2025
Those with loved ones at Lafayette Cemetery in Grindstone told KDKA that maintenance crews drove heavy machinery over headstones and graves, cracking some while breaking decorations and damaging American flags.
—Erika Stanish, CBS News, 4 Dec. 2025
Strathroy | Istock | Getty Images For nearly a century, John Dioguardi’s family has been making custom headstones and other memorial markers at Rome Monument in western Pennsylvania.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 30 Nov. 2025
But there were obvious omissions; people with military headstones — the type engraved with a name, a branch and a war fought — weren’t on the list.
—Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 11 Nov. 2025
Israeli soldiers bulldozed the cemetery down the road with no headstones visible to indicate who is buried where.
—Jane Arraf, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025
National cemeteries will continue burials, and families can still apply for markers, headstones and burial benefits.
—David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2025
Children play among headstones, and locals see ornate mausoleums daily on their way to run errands; the graveyards woven into public life as parks and libraries are in other cities.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headstones
Noun
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Additional excavations could bring answers, Frame communicated, with the team hoping to find alters — tombstones frequently included the units soldiers belonged to.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
6 Jan. 2026
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Concrete beams standing in the dirt like tall tombstones.—
Daniel Estrin,
NPR,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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For travelers interested in exploring more than just free-entry parks, the National Park Service maintains a database of other sites, monuments, and memorials that don’t require a fee.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
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Its distinctive architecture is especially interesting; an unexpected juxtaposition of awe-inspiring Roman monuments and the charming skyline of a former imperial town.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Headstones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headstones. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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