Definition of memorialnext
as in commemorative
serving to preserve the memory of a person, thing, or an event a memorial plaque on the bridge for a diver who died in the line of duty

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memorial

2 of 2

noun

as in reminder
something that serves to keep alive the memory of a person or event the Vietnam War Memorial is a starkly beautiful testimonial to the bravery of the soldiers who served in Vietnam

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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 memorial
Adjective
The incident inspired multiple memorial meme coins, forensic scrutiny of video footage, and bitter anti-Waymo sentiment. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Once Mooney plants the seed of his joke about how unhappy white Americans seemed after slavery the later images of Confederate memorial groups and white crowds at lynchings take on a surreal resonance. — Beandrea July, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026
Noun
Long shared plans for a memorial that would be incorporated into the park and serve as a tribute to the victims, Heidi Fye, Laura Miller, Audrey Lee Cook and Donna Gonsoulin Prudhomme. — Yvette Orozco, Houston Chronicle, 16 Oct. 2026 Similar memorial and burial ceremonies will be held Thursday in three other parts of Vietnam, with the remains of what are believed to be 93 people to be buried in Tuyen Quang province. — Aniruddha Ghosal, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for memorial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for memorial
Adjective
  • The commemorative uniform replicates the team’s iconic 1971–74 road design.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • For $20, guests could fill a commemorative plastic stein with one of these brews.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 11 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Christa Pike is a reminder that women can commit horrific crimes too.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026
  • That openness is the best thing about Cooked, a record that summons electric Miles and Popol Vuh and the Necks but mostly explores endless emotional ambiguity, offering a reminder that very few sensations are ever pure.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Members of Leadership Folsom spent the past year raising money for upgrades to the zoo's entrance, including new digital kiosks, a monument sign and high-visibility lettering at the main gate.
    — James Taylor, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Denali rises above them all, a monument standing guard over the low, water-rich world of the wetlands below.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Memorial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/memorial. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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