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
So there’s tons of free events happening that are really the backbone of the festival.
—
Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
Across the nation, nonprofits are the backbone of our communities.
—Kelly Anoe, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2025
Advertising is the backbone of internet commerce and a lifeline for publishers of all types.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
Through much of the 20th century, California’s salmon fishery formed the economic backbone of coastal fishing ports, with fishers using hook and line pulling in millions of pounds in good years.
—Alastair Bland | Calmatters, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Chris Willman, Variety, 23 Apr. 2025
Across the nation, nonprofits are the backbone of our communities.
—Kelly Anoe, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2025
Advertising is the backbone of internet commerce and a lifeline for publishers of all types.
—New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025
Through much of the 20th century, California’s salmon fishery formed the economic backbone of coastal fishing ports, with fishers using hook and line pulling in millions of pounds in good years.
—Alastair Bland | Calmatters, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
Noun
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Merely the thought of any potential Chinese aggression in Taiwan sends shivers down the spines of industry, market, and government officials, and an outright attack would put the worldwide economy in a tailspin.—
Karl Freund,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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The parade of extreme power and wealth in this dire global climate of recent years is usually the knife in my spine, but this year’s theme ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ gently twists it, quietly extracting the rebellious roots of the Black dandy for mainstream consumption.—
Akilah Sailers,
Essence,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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His leadership showed compassion, political courage, and moral clarity … qualities our leaders could use today more than ever.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2025
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By the end, the young girl proudly admired her new earrings, a symbol of overcoming fear and embracing courage.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Lately, the federal judiciary has responded with impressive speed and fortitude to Trump’s fusillade of executive orders and other actions.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
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Though Graham had concerns for how Cooper would be handle the pressure of this style, he was quickly given comfort by the young actor’s fortitude.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
For examples, men tend to have more muscle mass, a larger store of fast-twitch muscle fibers, and a higher VO2 max, or the maximum rate of oxygen intake.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Apr. 2025
-
Shop comforter sets, cooling gel fiber pillows, and lightweight quilt sets during Way Day while prices start at $24.—
Rachel Trujillo,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
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My daughter’s public-school kindergarten teacher poured heroic volumes of stamina and good cheer into the doomed task of teaching anything to two dozen unmutable five-year-olds through a glitchy screen.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2025
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Rugby is one of the most physically demanding sports, requiring grit, endurance and stamina.—
Dennis Volpe,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This week’s crop of new music finds Luke Combs and Bailey Zimmerman pairing up on a hard-charging anthem about grit and determination.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
5 May 2025
-
Montreal’s young core took huge strides this season, and the Canadiens morphed from a team with upside into one that won with a combination of skill and grit.—
Rob Rossi,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
Noun
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With Ronald Araujo coming into Flick’s defence against Dortmund, Barcelona fans must still wince when watching the bravery that is required to play such a high line.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
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Ground Zero is the story of Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey, a Border Security Force (BSF) soldier who showed rare bravery, grit and courage during his posting in Kashmir and managed to kill a major terrorist - Rana Tahir Nadeem, widely known as Ghazi Baba to the world.—
Sweta Kaushal,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
This week’s crop of new music finds Luke Combs and Bailey Zimmerman pairing up on a hard-charging anthem about grit and determination.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
5 May 2025
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Choose from the Legends Tee, which honors Black pioneers of skateboarding with six black-and-white, high-contrast action shots, or the Wheels Tee, an homage to skateboarders’ determination and grit.—
Alia Yee Noll,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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