potter's field

Definition of potter's fieldnext
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 After finding out from police that her son was buried in a potter's field, Wade Robinson sought to recover his body and give him a proper burial. — Deena Zaru, ABC News, 16 Nov. 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
  • North Highlands community members are coming together to support the family of a 1-year-old girl, who was killed after being struck by a vehicle at a South Sacramento cemetery during Día de los Muertos celebrations.
    — Conor McGill, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Multiple speakers, including some with family members in the cemetery, cited a Washington Post analysis that the arch would cast shadows on thousands of graves.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Although cold fusion was a pathological case, fusion in general has been a graveyard of dreams.
    — George Musser, Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) The stadium is also built next to a graveyard, per The Dallas Observer, and a worker was killed in an accident during its construction.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026

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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 9 Nov. 2026.

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