Definition of postmortemnext
as in posthumous
occurring after one's death postmortem tests on the brain tissue of people who had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease

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postmortem

2 of 2

noun

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

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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 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
According to Prescott, Jones’ body will be transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for a postmortem analysis. Kellie Love, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2026 Framed as a postmortem dispatch written from June 2028, Citrini’s memo describes a dystopian economy where aggressive AI adoption initially drives record corporate profits but—via mass layoffs—ultimately hollows out the American consumer base. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for postmortem
Recent Examples of Synonyms for postmortem
Adjective
  • The late Queen was born on April 21, 1926, and on her posthumous centennial, the Prince and Princess of Wales honored her in a new picture tribute shared to social media.
    Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The prospect of posthumous recognition, through a role constructed after his death, raises its own kind of unease.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • An autopsy is being performed to determine the cause of death.
    Daniella Silva, NBC news, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Deputies said an autopsy on Thursday determined that the cause of death was smoke inhalation.
    Paula Wethington, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Republicans narrowly control Congress and the agenda, but with the challenge of locking down enough of their own members after a delayed vote, Democratic votes will likely come into play — and the rare opportunity for leverage as the minority party.
    Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Greece’s farming sector faces mounting strain, with weeks of protests triggered by delayed subsidy payments tied to the investigation.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026

Cite this Entry

“Postmortem.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/postmortem. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.

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