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
By the time he was brought in, Assouline and Nike had already begun compiling and photographing some of the numerous mementos from the life and career of Jordan that serve as the backbone of the book, many of which have never been seen.
—
Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
At $699, the AC200L is a versatile backbone for emergencies and adventures without the gas and noise of a generator.
—PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2025
Maize provides the nutritive backbone to the Three Sisters system, yielding the bulk of the energy and a modest amount of protein.
—JSTOR Daily, 14 Oct. 2025
At least After The Hunt has a backbone.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
At $699, the AC200L is a versatile backbone for emergencies and adventures without the gas and noise of a generator.
—PC Magazine, 16 Oct. 2025
Maize provides the nutritive backbone to the Three Sisters system, yielding the bulk of the energy and a modest amount of protein.
—JSTOR Daily, 14 Oct. 2025
At least After The Hunt has a backbone.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
Noun
-
Kelvin, who fractured his spine and hip and suffered a concussion, has been in the ICU since the accident.—
Anna Lazarus Caplan,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Frank Vogel stood outside the Dallas Mavericks’ temporary locker room Wednesday night and recounted the shiver that recently ran down his spine.—
Dan Woike,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
No one trains you for moral courage or unwavering positivity — that’s a different kind of journey.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Rewrite old stories with courage.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Red Mass is a Catholic Mass that celebrates the start of the judicial year and offers prayers for wisdom, counsel, and fortitude for judges, lawyers and public officials.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
-
So, how does a dancer build the stamina, endurance, and mental fortitude needed to push through a slew of performances?—
Ayana Underwood,
Outside,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The team works with designers, retailers and product developers and sourcing and merchandising teams — who are the fiber decision-makers.—
Footwear News,
Footwear News,
15 Oct. 2025
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On the comfort front, Artistic Milliners’ Lounge Edit utilizes new fibers and weaving techniques to create fabrics that are soft and drape beautifully.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
One’s impression is suddenly modified by the casual strength his handshake conveys, and rightly so, for beneath the elegant lines of his suit are hidden a hard body and the stamina of 10 battalions.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Brendan Doggett brings skiddy seam and stamina.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
For most of the game, grit and luck seemed to be on the Nittany Lions’ side.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Smoky and savory, our Cowboy Pot Roast is equally at home served over mashed potatoes, grits, or rice.—
Elizabeth Nelson,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Cover the pumpkin guts with a pile of leaves or other brown materials, and make sure the bin is tightly sealed to keep animals out.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
-
As the piles of guts increased, the pets in the neighborhood decreased.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The president also celebrated the release of all the hostages and acknowledged their courage and bravery during their captivity.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Oct. 2025
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Trautmann’s personal status was enhanced by his bravery in the 1956 FA Cup final against Birmingham City.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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