backbone

noun

ˈbak-ˈbōn How to pronounce backbone (audio)
Definition of backbonenext
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

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 The language that's known as the backbone of the internet is now subject to what experts describe as one of the most notable vulnerabilities in recent memory. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 The arthropod group includes animals that are without a backbone or any bones at all, strictly speaking, their bodies being encased in a ringed, exterior tegument and having legs and, sometimes, wings. — Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 In its public financial documents, SpaceX has indicated that the bulk of its future revenues are likely to come from orbital data centers that will provide the backbone of computing for artificial intelligence on Earth. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026 Before PCs arrived on the scene, women were the backbone of office infrastructure. — Steve Liesman, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
  1. spine
  2. courage
  3. fortitude
  4. fiber
  5. stamina
  6. grit
  7. guts
  8. bravery
Noun
  • In the water, their flare of spines look like dark starbursts against the rock.
    — Joseph Ogilvy, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Bowman fractured his lumbar spine after being kicked by a horse during his time at the Dallas castle.
    — Alessandra Schade, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of spine
Noun
  • As their connection grows, each of them helps give the other the courage to step outside their comfort zones and find new joy — and possibly love — in unexpected ways.
    — Rachel LaBonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Sir Patrick Stewart's most famous characters tackled concepts such as honor, morality and courage.
    — Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of courage
Noun
  • But more importantly — and what comes with age — is having the fortitude not to follow them.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
  • That mental fortitude stood out to Green during a minor-league game in which Voit started 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of fortitude
Noun
  • The interior is finished in wood fiber panels, with laminate flooring.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Their axons, the long cable-like fibers that transmit electrical and chemical signals between cells, are shorter.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of fiber
Noun
  • In a world where students are averaging seven and a half hours a day on screens and attention spans are waning, Connecticut teachers say that students’ reading stamina and comprehension are declining.
    — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Muscle strength and stamina improve with consistency, and in this case, slow and steady does win the race.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of stamina
Noun
  • Southern essentials such as brisket, Nashville hot chicken and grits round out the menu.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Saturday’s offerings include the ribs plate and the signature platter called the Deep Cut, while Sunday’s menu includes a pork belly plate with cheesy grits and slaw and a smoked, griddled and cheesed burger.
    — Sam Flemming, AJC.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of grit
Noun
  • Some of my earliest memories include sitting around the kitchen table watching my mom pull out the stringy pumpkin guts so my dad could carve a silly face on it.
    — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Once the case is cracked, the third act shifts hard into monster movie mode, complete with plenty of practical blood, guts and werewolf nastiness.
    — William Earl, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of guts
Noun
  • But a rally outside Wednesday's meet — where the boy finished second among a field of 25 to help lead Camas to the girls district championship — showed that the adults are catching up in the bravery department.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • As possibly the most thrilling option in the entire park, the free-fall station tests visitors’ bravery.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of bravery

Browse Nearby Words

backbiting
backbone
backboned
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Cite this Entry

“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about backbone

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