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
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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
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Recent Examples of backbone
Immigrants are the backbone of countless industries in this country.
—
Tony Ortiz, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2025
Small businesses, the backbone of our local economy, are left to scramble against rising costs and supply chain uncertainty.
—Michael B Smith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025
The lender’s investment banking operations, the backbone of its growth, expanded by an annual 30% to 2.4 billion euros in the fourth quarter, also increasing 15% year-on-year to 10.6 billion euros across the whole of 2024.
—Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025
These are the mission-critical applications and platforms that form the backbone of your operations.
—Tomás O’Leary, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Tony Ortiz, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 May 2025
Small businesses, the backbone of our local economy, are left to scramble against rising costs and supply chain uncertainty.
—Michael B Smith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025
The lender’s investment banking operations, the backbone of its growth, expanded by an annual 30% to 2.4 billion euros in the fourth quarter, also increasing 15% year-on-year to 10.6 billion euros across the whole of 2024.
—Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 29 Apr. 2025
These are the mission-critical applications and platforms that form the backbone of your operations.
—Tomás O’Leary, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
Noun
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Manipulating your neck too aggressively or frequently can also strain the muscles surrounding your cervical spine, which can lead to pain, stiffness, or muscle spasms in your neck.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Health,
12 May 2025
-
The third passenger needed extensive physical therapy for damage done to his spine.—
Angie DiMichele,
Sun Sentinel,
9 May 2025
Noun
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This is where the first-responder physio plays a critical role — staying vigilant, trusting their training and instincts, and having the courage to make the tough decision to remove a player when necessary.—
Geoff Scott,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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But any single act of courage might shift the trajectory of your life —or that of others.—
Margie Warrell,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
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At the time, videos of motivational speakers and clips focused on mental fortitude became a regular part of his life.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2025
-
The word cowboy itself was used in a derogatory way to describe the former slaves as 'boys,' ... destroying the negative connotation, what remains is the strength and resiliency of these men who were the true definition of Western fortitude.—
Alex Gonzalez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Noun
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On May 8, Duffy announced a plan to completely rebuild the United States’ air traffic control system, replacing outdated telecommunications with new fiber, wireless and satellite technologies and equipping controllers with new radar, radios and voice switches.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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Polymers’ properties and chemical structures change as they are melted and reformed multiple times, and this method—which can be used on pellets, fibers, fabrics and garments—analyzes these changes.—
Sarah Jones,
Sourcing Journal,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Quality sleep sharpens your decision-making, improves emotional intelligence and gives you the stamina to lead with clarity and confidence.—
Ankur Bindal,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
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That and his commitment to improving his performance and mental stamina have led him to a lot of athletic success, including with his current team.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 May 2025
Noun
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But new life and civilizations await, including a villain that will test our characters’ grit and resolve.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
15 May 2025
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Because buried underneath all the playoff grit and defensive toughness is a generational offensive weapon — one who can shift a game, a series, even a season with the flick of a wrist.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Even in those first sessions, Nikola stood out for his incredible bravery when going up against older boys.—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
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That indignation, those headlines, the praise for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s bravery and leadership cooling dramatically since those early days–in Europe and America.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
Noun
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife did not indicate in its news release what may have caused the animal’s death but said a final determination will be made after a necropsy.—
Max Levy,
Denver Post,
16 May 2025
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This goal for his country against Spain, for example, again highlights his determination to get on the ball, his passing and his willingness to drive forward.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
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