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
Bolsonaro’s attacks on the vaccine program – a backbone of Brazil’s preventive health efforts – were especially strong.
—
Jessica A.j. Rich, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
Its journey to becoming the digital backbone of the office is a playbook for Altman.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Corn is also the backbone of the country’s ethanol industry.
—E.j. Antoni, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
The high price of credit report errors Because your credit reports are the backbone of your credit score, these kinds of mistakes can jeopardize your ability to get a credit card, auto loan, mortgage, home insurance, an apartment or even a job.
—Dan Avery, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Jessica A.j. Rich, The Conversation, 8 Apr. 2026
Its journey to becoming the digital backbone of the office is a playbook for Altman.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Corn is also the backbone of the country’s ethanol industry.
—E.j. Antoni, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
The high price of credit report errors Because your credit reports are the backbone of your credit score, these kinds of mistakes can jeopardize your ability to get a credit card, auto loan, mortgage, home insurance, an apartment or even a job.
—Dan Avery, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
Noun
-
Patterson lost connection with the bottoms of his arms and his fingers in the accident that severed his spine.—
Alan Gionet,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
After that, they’re called thornbacks, a thornback being a bottom-feeding skatelike fish with sharp spikes running along its spine.—
David Sedaris,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The intuitive Moon and energetic Mercury are merging in your sign, sharpening your words and putting courage behind your message.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
-
That case has wound on for years, leaving each of the victims to constantly relive their worst moments, constantly fear that all of their courage would come to nothing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Still, Robinson became one of the best players of his generation, possibly of all time, showing tremendous mental fortitude to go along with his elite athleticism.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Honey in the Wound exists to acknowledge the fortitude of women who had to bear so much in silence for so long.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Hidden streaks of fat hiding between and within muscle fibers can signal serious health problems, said Akkaya, the lead author of a new study that analyzed how ultraprocessed food impacts intramuscular fat in people at risk for knee osteoporosis.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Researchers have identified date palm surface fibers (DPSFs) as a high-potential, sustainable feedstock for bioenergy via pyrolysis.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Small, repeatable choices will strengthen your stamina.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Physical stamina and comfort preferences may evolve.—
Lauren Schuster,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The appeal of Larsson lies less in her songcraft than in her got-it-out-the-mud performer’s grit.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Minnesota has suffered a dozen one-goal losses this season but been a tough out down the stretch, playing with notable resilience and grit since Canfield’s arrival.—
Tris Wykes,
Twin Cities,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The real guts of it has to come from them.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
17 Apr. 2026
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But anyone who doesn't have a high tolerance for blood and guts should stay far away.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Because the bravery and courage at the heart of the survivor was bruised but not defeated.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Staff Sergeant Gregory Foster was a Green Beret deployed to Afghanistan when he was injured in an ambush in 2011 and was awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with valor for bravery.—
Shelley Bortz,
CBS News,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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