potter's field

as in cemetery
a piece of land used for burying the dead criminals and unidentified people are sometimes buried in a potter's field

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 potter's field According to a 1951 Milwaukee Journal article, the potter's field was the burial site of many victims of the city's 1849-1850 cholera epidemic, which was estimated to have killed as many as 700 of the city's then-20,000 residents. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 11 Oct. 2024 The island is not only the largest potter's field in the U.S., but it is also believed to be the single largest AIDS burial site, according to the NYC Parks Department. Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 1 Dec. 2023 The family lived down the street from the potter's field where the boy was first buried, and placed flowers there on holidays. Maryclaire Dale, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for potter's field
Noun
  • The Fet-Fisk chef recommends cemetery wine strolls and late nights at the Squirrel Cage.
    Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Oct. 2025
  • Who’d have guessed that the place to find a killer spritz cookie recipe would be inside a cemetery?
    Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The late farmer from Wisconsin began his life of crime by digging up the fresh graveyards of women who resembled his mom, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
    Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
  • From October 31 through November 2, the largest graveyard in Oaxaca City, Panteón de San Miguel, is decorated with pan de muerto, marigold flowers, candles, and other offerings.
    Sarah Buder, AFAR Media, 8 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Potter's field.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/potter%27s%20field. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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