What does "necrology" mean?
A church register containing the names of those connected with the church who have died.
Necrology
noun
noun ·4 syllables ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A church register containing the names of those connected with the church who have died.
- Grammar: necrology is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: adventure, adventures, annals, arch.
- Useful contrasts: biography writing, birth notices, life announcements.
- Usage evidence: Voltaire and Rousseau died in 1778, d'Alembert in 1783, and Diderot in 1784, while leading salonnières Mesdames du Deffand and d'Épinay passed away in 1780 and 1783. Beneath this sombre necrology, important shifts were occurring in the workings of the public sphere and in the sites in which opinion was constructed.
How to use "necrology"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "necrology" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "necrology" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "necrology" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "necrology" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "necrology" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "adventure" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "necrology", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A church register containing the names of those connected with the church who have died. countable, uncountable
- 2 a list of people who died recently wordnet
- 3 A listing of people who have died during a specific period of time. countable, uncountable
"Voltaire and Rousseau died in 1778, d'Alembert in 1783, and Diderot in 1784, while leading salonnières Mesdames du Deffand and d'Épinay passed away in 1780 and 1783. Beneath this sombre necrology, important shifts were occurring in the workings of the public sphere and in the sites in which opinion was constructed."
- 4 a notice of someone's death; usually includes a short biography wordnet
- 5 A notice of death. countable, uncountable
Show 1 more definition
- 6 The study of death or the dead. uncountable
Antonyms
biography writingbirth noticeslife announcementslife narrative
Example
"Voltaire and Rousseau died in 1778, d'Alembert in 1783, and Diderot in 1784, while leading salonnières Mesdames du Deffand and d'Épinay passed away in 1780 and 1783. Beneath this sombre necrology, important shifts were occurring in the workings of the public sphere and in the sites in which opinion was constructed."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "necrology"?
Common synonyms include: adventure, adventures, annals, arch, autobiography, barrow.
How do you use "necrology" in a sentence?
Voltaire and Rousseau died in 1778, d'Alembert in 1783, and Diderot in 1784, while leading salonnières Mesdames du Deffand and d'Épinay passed away in 1780 and 1783. Beneath this sombre necrology, important shifts were occurring in the workings of the public sphere and in the sites in which opinion was constructed.
Etymology
From necro- + -logy.