backbone

backbone

noun

Definition of BACKBONE

1

a column of bones supporting the trunk of a vertebrate animal <found the backbone of a fish lying on the beach>

Synonyms backbone, chine, spinal column, vertebral column

Related Words back, spinal cord, vertebra

2

the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship <it takes backbone to stand up to the kind of suffering that some cancer patients must endure>

Synonyms backbone, constancy, fiber, grit, grittiness, guts, intestinal fortitude, pluck, spunk

Related Words determination, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution; bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry, greatheartedness, intrepidity, intrepidness, nerve, stoutness, valor; endurance, forbearance, stamina, sufferance, tolerance; heart, mettle, spirit; audacity, boldness, brass, cheek, chutzpah (also chutzpa or hutzpah or hutzpa), effrontery, gall, hardihood, nerve, nerviness, temerity

Near Antonyms indecisiveness, irresoluteness, irresolution, vacillation; cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, faintheartedness, pusillanimity, timidity, timorousness

Antonyms spinelessness