GRAVES Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

graves 1 of 2

noun

Definition of graves

plural of grave

as in tombs

a final resting place for a dead person the forlorn boy put flowers on his mother's grave

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in deaths

the permanent stopping of all the vital bodily activities a rock star who found his early grave in a plane crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

graves

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of grave

as in etches

to cut (as letters or designs) on a hard surface the doomed climber graved his initials into the rock face

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 graves

Noun

The Kinest’e Community Coalition, composed of Lincoln and other tribal members and their allies, continues its fight to not only have a say in the project but also to reroute the trail to protect sacred sites, including graves. — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 Walk past a guard wolf to see a potion brewing, a spidery scenario in the yard, gothic graves, a skeletal spot in one corner and plenty of gore on the porch. — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Cleaning graves grew in popularity during the pandemic The trend was particularly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic as people searched for safe hobbies, finding connections over death during a pandemic. — Kimberlee Kruesi, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026 Grave plots are first-come, first-served, and since death is unpredictable, graves cannot be reserved in advance. — Mimi Hanaoka, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026 The preacher was arrested in 2023 after police received a tip-off, and weeks later authorities began uncovering bodies in shallow graves in the Shakahola Forest near the coast in southeastern Kenya. — Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026 Since April 2023, over 400 bodies have been exhumed from shallow graves believed to be linked to Mackenzie’s doomsday cult. — Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2026 This spring, archaeologists in Croatia announced the discovery of ancient Roman graves beneath the coastal city of Zadar — revealing a burial site used for nearly 500 years. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 However, the government has narrowed the definition for homicides to exclude killings by police, murders in prisons and bodies found in unmarked graves. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

In one cemetery, families of deceased cartel operatives erected graves the size of suburban homes. — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 Aprendi no que consiste o verdadeiro alimento há muitos anos, quando tive problemas estomacais tão graves que só conseguia reter os alimentos mais básicos. — Blithe Holcomb Hogan, Christian Science Monitor, 8 July 2026 Las acciones de Google son especialmente insensibles y graves ante el cierre administrativo temporal del gobierno (shutdown), ignorando las peticiones de funcionarios gubernamentales y organizaciones hispanas que les solicitaron mantener la programación de Univision en el paquete principal. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for graves

Noun

This incredible necropolis is home to the tombs of the pharaohs and is a testament to the advanced engineering and architectural skills of the ancient Egyptians.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2026
But there is very little archaeological evidence available, given that many of the earliest Egyptian tombs were plundered and/or hastily excavated.

— Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of tombs

Noun

The deaths were confirmed by officials from Shifa, Hamad, Nasser and Al-Aqsa hospitals, as well as an American field hospital.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
The deaths of two CIA agents and two Mexican officers in an April crash after a drug-lab raid have triggered a rare federal treason case against Chihuahua’s former top prosecutor.

— María Verza, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of deaths

Verb

The system etches three redundant data matrix codes, similar to QR codes, into the graphite surface, with markings approximately half a millimeter deep, according to the company.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026
In simple terms, TERA-print sells a tabletop printer that etches microscopic designs onto specialized surfaces for use in bioengineering and similar laboratory applications.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of etches

Noun

Legend has it that sad fates befell those who made her angry and happy ones those who were kind to her.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026
As their interpersonal dynamics fray, a constant tug-of-war between power and vulnerability not only shapes the characters’ individual choices, but also profoundly impacts their ultimate journeys and tragic fates.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of fates

Verb

Malcolm Arnold’s 2,000-square-foot business, Apple Core Electronics, on Flushing Avenue in Bushwick makes exterior intercom panels, sets their wiring, punches buttons and engraves addresses.

— New York Times, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026
The company also engraves the names of the two teams, the final score, the location of the game and its date on the trophy base.

— Paul Edward Parker, The Providence Journal, 6 Feb. 2026

Definition of engraves

Verb

The path the moon inscribes around the Earth is elliptical rather than circular.

— Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
The current inscribes some victims’ skin with mysterious scarlike patterns called Lichtenberg figures, which resemble the limbs of a barren tree—or the branching structure of lightning itself.

— Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026

Definition of inscribes

Noun

The songs above fall into three categories, as their runs reached such lengths due to artists’ passings; a record-setting movie; or multiple holidays.

— Gary Trust, Billboard, 17 Sep. 2026
What stood out most, however, was just how emotional the event was, particularly considering the many recent passings of some of our most beloved film and TV luminaries.

— Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 2 Mar. 2026

Definition of passings

Browse Nearby Words

graveness

graves

gravestone

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Graves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/graves. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of graves

noun

verb

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