stones 1 of 2

Definition of stonesnext
plural of stone
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 an engraved stone identified the grave as that of a man who had died in the Influenza Epidemic of 1918-19

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

stones

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of stone
as in sharpens
to make sharp or sharper the diorama showed a villager stoning a scythe

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 stones
Noun
The ancient Jewish burial practice of leaving visitation stones at a gravesite has many interpretations, but is often used as a form of remembrance. Christa Swanson, CBS News, 8 June 2026 As Inga grows to adulthood the biggest dam has destroyed the lake’s shoreline, leaving it muddy and covered with stones. Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026 If your child is eager to build with their favorite blocks, invite them to build outside with sticks and stones. Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 4 June 2026 Across the fine jewelry industry, designers are reporting growing demand for heirloom remodeling, engagement ring redesigns and bespoke commissions that repurpose stones with personal history. Lauren Fisher, Footwear News, 3 June 2026 Communities living near these sites often preserve language, music and traditions that bring the ruins to life in ways the stones alone cannot. Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026 Along with nourishing facials and massage, there are mindful services featuring meditation and sleep-enhancing techniques, and exclusive treatments that massage with heated jade stones, crystals, or the traditional Irish Shillelagh wooden stick. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 Though the purpose of the tunnel remains unclear, researchers theorize it may have been carved to reach a chalk layer used for quarrying building stones or producing lime. Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 1 June 2026 Allen’s computer simulations show the mix of larger stones will grow with climate change. Seth Borenstein, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stones
Noun
  • The Pontiac Gazette newspaper in Oakland County reported storm damage included apple and peach trees uprooted or twisted, churches destroyed, and cemetery tombstones blown down.
    Paula Wethington, CBS News, 26 May 2026
  • The veil of past and present, for example, takes an abstract turn in Altar I, while Todos los santos (Para subir al Cielo) shows a cemetery with various cross-shaped tombstones, with a ladder leaning on a wall spectrally overlaid on the image.
    Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • That mindset simplifies his decision-making, sharpens perception and allows his performance to become more instinctive.
    Elise Devlin, New York Times, 29 May 2026
  • Share a silly story with family to restore warmth, and remember that joy sharpens focus as well as spreadsheets.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Noun
  • In Istanbul, a corn vendor is pulling bigger crowds than some of the city’s monuments.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 6 June 2026
  • As his birthday approached, social media was flooded with the hashtag #RaúlesRaúl, a political figure who has long been adverse to birthdays, monuments and statues, just like his brother.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • As certification edges closer, some investors are getting impatient.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 29 May 2026
  • Northgate edges Case Grande in baseball semifinal, shuts out Salesian to advance to softball final.
    Nathan Canilao, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Not necessarily that the basketball becomes easier, but each minute is so tense, both teams are so focused and each possession is so tight that the winner is often decided by which team — or player — can execute when the game grinds to a halt.
    Tim Rohan, NBC news, 4 June 2026
  • To craft the burger, the team coarsely grinds — twice — the leftover pieces of meat and fat trimmed from either a brisket or shoulder clod, then forms 8-ounce-thick patties, which are rolled in a housemade all-purpose rub and 16-mesh pepper and smoked for two hours.
    Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 20 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stones. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on stones

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