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
Concrete beams standing in the dirt like tall tombstones.
—
Daniel Estrin, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
After days of cleaning graves and decorating tombstones, the graveyard is awash in color and flickering candles.
—Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
The museum embraces the town’s unique role as a final home after one’s life, showcasing everything from early-20th-century embalming equipment to the tombstones of 19th-century San Francisco residents — once sold in a Santa Cruz consignment shop and advertised as Halloween decorations.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
Scott transforms her front yard at 1728 Hanson Lane into a theater of tombstones, complete with scores of skeletons, plenty of pumpkins and a generous sprinkling of ghosts.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tombstone
Daniel Estrin, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
After days of cleaning graves and decorating tombstones, the graveyard is awash in color and flickering candles.
—Rocío Muñoz-Ledo, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
The museum embraces the town’s unique role as a final home after one’s life, showcasing everything from early-20th-century embalming equipment to the tombstones of 19th-century San Francisco residents — once sold in a Santa Cruz consignment shop and advertised as Halloween decorations.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
Scott transforms her front yard at 1728 Hanson Lane into a theater of tombstones, complete with scores of skeletons, plenty of pumpkins and a generous sprinkling of ghosts.
—Regina Elling, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tombstone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tombstone
Noun
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The Fort Worth of the 1800s, a hub of livestock trading and a living monument to cowboy culture, hasn’t died.—
Chris Torres,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Jan. 2026
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For travelers interested in exploring more than just free-entry parks, the National Park Service maintains a database of other sites, monuments, and memorials that don’t require a fee.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, David’s ring features a matching center stone and a wide cigar-style band.—
Desiree Anello,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
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This area is home to massive karst formations like the Wulong Three Bridges, the largest natural stone arches in Asia, as well as the Xiaozhai Heavenly Pit, the world’s largest sinkhole.—
Joe Wilkins Published Jan 8,
Futurism,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Walt playfully honored Fowler for his work on the Submarine Voyage with a plaque designating him Commander-in-Chief of the Disneyland Navy.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
9 Jan. 2026
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The plaque had been kept in storage rather than being displayed because House Speaker Mike Johnson had said the memorial did not comply with the law.—
Stephen Groves,
Fortune,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Tombstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tombstone. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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