tombstones

noun

plural of tombstone
as in monuments
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

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 tombstones The juvenile green, leafy trees had vanished and were replaced by rows of thin, lifeless trunks staked into the ground like tombstones. — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026 The eight objects offered at Bonhams and Apollo Art Auction House include statue heads, an inscription and tombstones. — News Desk, Artforum, 7 July 2026 The group comprises statue heads, a statue, an inscription, and funerary stelae (tombstones). — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 6 July 2026 The skies are gloomy and overcast, fitting for a trip among the tombstones. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 18 June 2026 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 Workmen are erecting identical marble tombstones. — ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026 Last year, the City Council approved an ordinance to offer rewards for information involving theft of city plaques, tombstones, statues, light standards, and copper wire, and theft of metals linked to the Sixth Street Bridge. — City News Service, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026 By day the place was filled with different sorts of tombstones, many of them inside ornamental enclosures. — Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tombstones
  1. monuments
  2. stones
  3. gravestones
  4. headstones
  5. plaques
Noun
  • Many Native Hawaiian cultural groups oppose opening the monuments to fishing.
    — NPR, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
  • These destinations are popular for a reason, with centuries-old capitals, magnificent monuments, and quaint seaside towns all within a short walk, drive, or train ride of each other.
    — Jillian Dara, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of monuments
Noun
  • Central to the collection is the brand’s Éclat de Joie star, a multifaceted motif rendered in diamonds and natural stones including malachite, mother-of-pearl and onyx.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 27 July 2026
  • Reminiscent of bar soap, the stones instantly melt into your skin sans the hassle of applying traditional lotion.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 25 July 2026
Definition of stones
Noun
  • Many of the gravestones were moved to Alder Brook and West Cemetery and remain there today.
    — Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 28 June 2026
  • Haunted Mansion props on the parade floats will include the conservatory casket, cryptic gravestones, gargoyle candleholders, haunted armor and stretching room portraits, according to the concept art.
    — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 2 June 2026
Definition of gravestones
Noun
  • Cervantes told her the cemetery had identified roughly 15 questionable headstones overall.
    — Sara Machi, CBS News, 29 July 2026
  • For more than a century, Anna Horan’s gravesite was one of the thousands marked by squat, featureless headstones arranged in uneven rows along the hillside in New Haven’s Blake Street Cemetery.
    — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 20 July 2026
Definition of headstones
Noun
  • When activated, those cells begin clearing away existing amyloid plaques, a process that was associated with reduced plaque buildup and improved cognitive function, the study found.
    — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
  • And in mice with more advanced conditions, with unstable plaques that are more likely to rupture, treatment reduced the plaque size by 52%.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2025
Definition of plaques

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tombstones
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Cite this Entry

“Tombstones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tombstones. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tombstones

Nglish: Translation of tombstones for Spanish Speakers

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