as in tombstone
a shaped stone laid over or erected near a grave and usually bearing an inscription to identify and preserve the memory of the deceased
many of the headstones were for children who had died during the influenza epidemic
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Recent Examples of headstone
Some of the headstones have legible names, others are illegible or are just horizontal blocks indicating a grave.
—
Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2025
My late father-in-law fought at the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944, my late uncle was wounded at the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, and my husband’s great uncle was a sailor whose warship was sunk by the Japanese in 1942 and whose headstone may be found in Manila.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
That’s certainly true of David Lynch, whose headstone has been one of the most visited since being placed in April after the director’s death in January.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 13 June 2025
During its seven year stint atop Morrison’s headstone, fans took to covering the bust in graffiti, as well as chipping off parts souvenirs.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for headstone
Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2025
My late father-in-law fought at the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944, my late uncle was wounded at the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, and my husband’s great uncle was a sailor whose warship was sunk by the Japanese in 1942 and whose headstone may be found in Manila.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2025
That’s certainly true of David Lynch, whose headstone has been one of the most visited since being placed in April after the director’s death in January.
—Pat Saperstein, Variety, 13 June 2025
During its seven year stint atop Morrison’s headstone, fans took to covering the bust in graffiti, as well as chipping off parts souvenirs.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for headstone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for headstone
Noun
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The tombstone of his uncle, Pleas Monroe Rector, is also at the cemetery, Ernest Rector said.—
Claire Osborn,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
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On Jane Austen’s tombstone in Winchester Cathedral in England, no mention is made of her achievements as a novelist.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
17 June 2025
Noun
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Even so, last year, the city of Hartford picked up the tab for $150,000 in maintenance that covered cutting down dead trees that posed a safety hazard; hauling away illegally dumped items and removing of overgrowth and mowing around hundreds of headstones and monuments.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
6 July 2025
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The memorial would replace an earlier monument of King at the corner of Reading Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.—
Scott Wartman,
The Enquirer,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Headstone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/headstone. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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