as in posthumous
occurring after one's death
postmortem tests on the brain tissue of people who had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in autopsy
examination of a dead body especially to find out the cause of death
the postmortem revealed that the cause of death had been an undetected heart defect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of postmortem
Emily Toomey, Smithsonian, 21 Aug. 2019
Nearby, the researchers also found skulls apparently stuck together with mortar—remnants of one of the towers flanking the tzompantli, where most skulls once exhibited on its posts ended their postmortem journey.
—Lizzie Wade, Science | AAAS, 21 June 2018
Tara Ramanathan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
The disease caused by repetitive head trauma is known to cause aggression, mood swings, depression and paranoia but can only be diagnosed through a postmortem brain autopsy.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for postmortem
Adjective
In addition to studying postmortem tissue, imaging methods like MRIs offer alternative tools for investigating neurological conditions.
—Emily Toomey, Smithsonian, 21 Aug. 2019
Nearby, the researchers also found skulls apparently stuck together with mortar—remnants of one of the towers flanking the tzompantli, where most skulls once exhibited on its posts ended their postmortem journey.
—Lizzie Wade, Science | AAAS, 21 June 2018
Noun
That meant that the higher powers had the authority to enact a punishment on an unlucky criminal postmortem.
—Tara Ramanathan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 25 Mar. 2026
The disease caused by repetitive head trauma is known to cause aggression, mood swings, depression and paranoia but can only be diagnosed through a postmortem brain autopsy.
—Kansas City Star, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for postmortem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for postmortem
Adjective
-
Casey made the decision to have a child through the use of postmortem or posthumous sperm retrieval, or PSR, collecting Dylan's sperm shortly after his death and transferring those samples to an in vitro fertilization clinic.—
Brian Brant,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
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My problem is not to ensure my future or gain posthumous fame.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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An autopsy found Shirley Dermond died from two or three blows to the head.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
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The Ada County Coroner’s Office performs autopsies and investigates deaths from violence and those that occurred under suspicious circumstances, among others.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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The combination of the chiming, delayed guitar, twiddly ‘80s synths, weird time signatures and Fish’s unique lyrics and vocal delivery all added up to a very intriguing listen.—
Liza Lentini,
SPIN,
8 May 2026
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What started as a delayed flight out of Atlanta quickly turned into a federal case.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Postmortem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/postmortem. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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