1
as in spine
a column of bones supporting the trunk of a vertebrate animal
found the backbone of a fish lying on the beach
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in courage
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 backbone
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has been the Panthers’ backbone the past three years.
—
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
The extension has sharpened the divide between India’s powerful textile industry and its agricultural backbone.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 17 Sep. 2025
Organizations like the National Institutes of Health continue to recommend moderate to vigorous activity — such as brisk walking, running, or cycling — as the backbone of good health.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The software backbone is Soldier Borne Mission Command-Architecture (SBMC-A).
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
The extension has sharpened the divide between India’s powerful textile industry and its agricultural backbone.
—Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 17 Sep. 2025
Organizations like the National Institutes of Health continue to recommend moderate to vigorous activity — such as brisk walking, running, or cycling — as the backbone of good health.
—Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 15 Sep. 2025
The software backbone is Soldier Borne Mission Command-Architecture (SBMC-A).
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
Noun
-
Based on her symptoms, Chyna may suffer from Wobbler Syndrome, a disease that affects a large dog’s spine.—
TJ Macias,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
-
They were signed to be the spine of a team that would contend for multiple World Series championships, not just one.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Grazer showed courage when defending her cubs.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Your courage makes prosecutions possible.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
23 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
And fortitude, focus, a good sense of direction, deep knowledge of the territory.—
Megan Marshall
September 25,
Literary Hub,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Jake will need fortitude for the plethora of adversaries coming for him and his family in the upcoming film.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Their fiber content can help manage cholesterol levels by binding to cholesterol in your digestive system and carrying it out of the body.—
Kathleen Ferraro,
Verywell Health,
24 Sep. 2025
-
By merging different material detection methods, the system can identify fiber composition and contaminants—like trace amounts of spandex, nylon and acrylic below 2 percent.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
What the map did not show was that few hikers attempt this route due to its exposure and the extra time, water, and stamina required of a lengthy and strenuous Class II scramble up and down a trio of ever-taller unnamed 13,000-foot mountains of loose talus and unsteady granite blocks.—
Ted Katauskas,
Outside,
23 Sep. 2025
-
For leaders already operating under immense pressure, this accelerates their biological wear and tear, reduces resilience, increases the risk of burnout, and undermines the very stamina required to sustain their influence at the top.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Despite being hit with a multitude of injuries, the 49ers have showcased some huge grit, fighting their way to a 2-0 record heading into the Cardinals matcup.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Sep. 2025
-
Some interiors were staged in active Jordanian prisons, adding grit and realism to the final project.—
Essie Assibu,
Variety,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
But with some notable exceptions, particularly during the 1968 Tet Offensive, network news cameras generally got nowhere close enough to combat in order to film blood, guts, and gore.—
Time,
Time,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Auditioning for The Voice takes guts — just ask the coaches!—
Daniela Avila,
PEOPLE,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Her bravery was recognized by the paramedics, too, who put the 7-year-old forward for a bravery award, which her school presented to her in May of this year.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
-
In addition to those who were shot, four other patrons were injured, and officials say the tragedy could have been much worse if not for the bravery of those who intervened.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share