monuments

plural of monument
1
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 the Quakers disapproved of monuments, regarding them as idolatrous, so thousands of Nantucketers spend their eternal rest in complete anonymity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in reminders
something that serves to keep alive the memory of a person or event a moving monument to the great war and a tribute to the untold millions who died in it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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 monuments The organization intended to use the concrete to establish 100 Berlin Wall monuments across North America, with the project leading into the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 2009. Will McGough, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 But the rest of the land, save for the monorail, one of Disneyland’s most recognizable monuments, should be considered fair game. Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 This is what makes the country so interesting to visit, with all its ancient monuments and culture. Kaitlyn Gomez, Charlotte Observer, 17 Aug. 2026 Interest in the ancient druids emerged in the 16th and 17th centuries among European antiquarians—early modern scholars and collectors who studied ancient remains, manuscripts, and monuments. Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026 That's about the legacy of slavery and the monuments commemorating the Confederacy and slave holders and the distortions of history. Terry Gross, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026 The president has also ordered sweeping changes to historical monuments and buildings in Washington that fall under NPS’ purview, including the creation of a White House ballroom and a 250-foot-tall (76-meter-tall) memorial arch. Matthew Daly, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 Before then, national parks and monuments were run by a variety of government entities, with few resources. USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 Now, the state attorney general says the city must pay a fine or face a lawsuit for violating a state law protecting Confederate monuments and other longstanding memorials. Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for monuments
Noun
  • The juvenile green, leafy trees had vanished and were replaced by rows of thin, lifeless trunks staked into the ground like tombstones.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • The eight objects offered at Bonhams and Apollo Art Auction House include statue heads, an inscription and tombstones.
    News Desk, Artforum, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • Rather than actual service failures, those logistical wrinkles serve as reminders that beneath the polished five-star veneer sits a functioning medical practice attempting to reconcile luxury hospitality with individualized medicine.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026
  • This new experience includes Study Mode, quizzes, learning visualizations, and responsible homework reminders.
    Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • These included a child buried face down, a skeleton positioned as in a crucifixion, graves with stones placed around the skull as if to prevent biting or movement, as well as other graves with sickles and padlocks.
    Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Data to the decimal, yes, and there may not be enough of it to draw conclusions, but what data points have been established are factual and viable stepping stones to new knowledge.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • She was charged with depredation against federal property and destruction of veterans’ memorials.
    Liam Scott, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The National Mall memorials are either in the process of being built or are still in the pre-construction phases, with some projects further along than others.
    Mike Stunson, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Enclosed by a network of 13th-century walls, the narrow streets of old York host myriad awe-inspiring relics from its pre-industrial past, perhaps the most famous being York Minster, one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals anywhere.
    Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Shelving units in the garage are tightly, but neatly, packed with containers of various items, from Nike sneakers to Cold War-era relics, labeled with a description or lot number scrawled in black marker.
    Sarah Jackson Valentina Duarte, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Monuments.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/monuments. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster