as in monument
a shaped stone laid over or erected near a grave and usually bearing an inscription to identify and preserve the memory of the deceased
the historic cemetery's many tombstones marking the graves of children are telling reminders of the harshness of pioneer life
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Recent Examples of tombstone
The exhibition for its Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition is dominated by tombstone labels.
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Kelsey Ables,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Workmen are erecting identical marble tombstones.
—
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
And on April 19, congregants toured Pensacola’s Jewish cemetery, where the oldest tombstone dates from 1874 and many inscriptions are in Hebrew and German as well as English.
—
Larry Luxner,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
In 1975, the museum purchased his work Georgia Gate, a structure of fluidly bent pine staves inspired by photos of Georgia tombstones the artist saw in musicologist Marshall Stearns’s 1970 book The Story of Jazz.
—
News Desk,
Artforum,
8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tombstone
Kelsey Ables,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Workmen are erecting identical marble tombstones.
—
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2026
And on April 19, congregants toured Pensacola’s Jewish cemetery, where the oldest tombstone dates from 1874 and many inscriptions are in Hebrew and German as well as English.
—
Larry Luxner,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
In 1975, the museum purchased his work Georgia Gate, a structure of fluidly bent pine staves inspired by photos of Georgia tombstones the artist saw in musicologist Marshall Stearns’s 1970 book The Story of Jazz.
—
News Desk,
Artforum,
8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for tombstone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tombstone
Noun
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While buildings and monuments safeguard the past, McGee believes the future of Kansas City jazz ultimately rests with the musicians themselves.
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The Wildland Firefighter Foundation maintains a monument in Boise, Idaho, as well as a Wall of Honor, which memorializes each of the fallen.
Noun
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The primary suite occupies its own wing and comes complete with dual baths — one with stone and steam, the other with a soaking tub — a sun deck and private coffee bar.
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The entire lobby level, from its white stone flooring and pillars, to the planter boxes that (barely) separate the lounge from the entrance, drips in understated opulence.
Noun
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The plaque on the bridge uses the possessive form, but all official digital records omit it.
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Across its 55,000-square-foot footprint, the $24 million building is composed of a learning center and classrooms, company orderly rooms, battalion planning space and secure equipment storage — and carries a plaque honoring the state’s 30th governor.
Cite this Entry
“Tombstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tombstone. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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