burial

noun

ˈber-ē-əl How to pronounce burial (audio)
Definition of burialnext
1
as in funeral
the act or ceremony of putting a dead body in its final resting place the children wanted to give the dead bird a proper burial in the backyard

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tomb
a final resting place for a dead person archaeologically significant artifacts, such as stone tools, have been discovered in Neanderthal burials

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 burial According to Jackson’s account, Fong said her father, the village headman, removed large pieces of wreckage from the crash site and organized the burial of McKinney’s body right there. — Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 1 July 2026 Jessica Luther Rummel, lead researcher for the cemetery association, has been reconstructing that arc from newspapers, Census data and burial records. — Kamal Morgan. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2026 The lengthy delay to the funeral has raised questions about how Khamenei's remains have been preserved, as Islamic tradition, anaylsts say, generally calls for prompt burial and discourages chemical embalming. — Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 In Bunia and Rwampara, 75 decontaminations and 57 safe and dignified burials have been carried out by teams directly supported by UNICEF and partners. — Maryanne Murray Buechner, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for burial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for burial
  1. funeral
  2. tomb
  3. interment
  4. grave
  5. entombment
  6. cemetery
  7. burying
Noun
  • Tehran has paused fragile negotiations with the US aimed at reaching a lasting deal to end their conflict during the multi-day funeral for Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli strike in February, on the first day of the war.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 7 July 2026
  • The fundraiser says Dileo, a single father, is now facing the financial burden of bringing his son home to Florida, in addition to funeral, burial and other unexpected expenses.
    — Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026
Definition of funeral
Noun
  • He will be buried on Thursday, after another ​procession, in Mashhad near the tomb of the Imam Reza, a figure of great devotion in Iran.
    — Parisa Hafezi, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • With the patio door closed, however, the room was as silent as a tomb.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 June 2026
Definition of tomb
Noun
  • Cremation and interment services are being handled by Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens.
    — Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
  • From the day of death until the interment of an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a secretary of an executive or military department, a former vice president or the governor of a state.
    — Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 25 May 2026
Definition of interment
Noun
  • Sportman said disturbed graves are not necessarily common in Connecticut.
    — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026
  • Allin responds by saying that if that's what Knight wants, he's dug his own grave.
    — Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of grave
Noun
  • The snow eventually hardens like a concrete entombment.
    — Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 21 Feb. 2026
  • City and county governments set local rules covering burials, inurnments, entombments and the upkeep of cemeteries, mausoleums and columbariums, according to state law.
    — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025
Definition of entombment
Noun
  • A couple of miles from the cemetery, a large group had gathered outside a small house for a holiday weekend cookout.
    — Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Khomeini’s funeral saw chaotic scenes as millions thronged his mourning ceremony and trip to the cemetery.
    — Nasser Karimi, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
Definition of cemetery
Noun
  • Eaton wildfire survivors’ anger about Southern California Edison’s burying of electric wires in Altadena boiled over Tuesday with residents calling on government officials to temporarily halt the work.
    — Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
  • According to Purina, a common quirky habit many dog owners notice is food-burying.
    — Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
Definition of burying

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burgs
burial
burials
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Cite this Entry

“Burial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/burial. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on burial

Nglish: Translation of burial for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about burial

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