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 In those neighborhoods, buses are the backbone of mobility, and improving them is among the most effective ways to expand opportunity. — Mike Flynn, New York Daily News, 9 July 2026 Women are not allowed—women are the backbone of the Democratic Party, and particularly Black women. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026 The intersection of the crosswires in the Redfield 4X scope had been exactly behind the foreleg and about halfway down from the backbone when the rifle went off. — Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 8 July 2026 GoDaddy famously sponsored racecar driver Danica Patrick, while WordPress forms the backbone of countless sites. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 7 July 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
  • Its internal mechanical architecture is modeled on the human spine and musculoskeletal system, using synthetic muscle-like actuators that enable fluid, natural movements.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026
  • Against Spain, Deschamps’ problems arose throughout his team’s spine.
    — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 16 July 2026
Definition of spine
Noun
  • At their best, natural leaders with the courage to take on what others won’t.
    — Christina Pérez, Vogue, 17 July 2026
  • Its concluding images emphasise a clichéd concept of motherhood, as though to put a neat bow on what was in fact a more complex story of trust, patience and everyday courage.
    — Elena Lazic, Variety, 15 July 2026
Definition of courage
Noun
  • They were blown away by his focus, drive, mentality and fortitude.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 10 July 2026
  • In one particular test, participants were submerged in a sensory deprivation tank, a test meant to measure a participant's mental fortitude.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 9 July 2026
Definition of fortitude
Noun
  • Collectors won’t want to miss The Adobe Fine Art, an award-winning 10,000-foot space filled with oil paintings of cowboys and gunslingers, fiber sculptures of Native American warriors, traditional Pueblo pottery, and much more.
    — Allison Savage Bates, Denver Post, 19 July 2026
  • Avoid Direct Contact With Wooden Surfaces Grandma’s cedar chest may seem like the perfect spot to store clothes; however, direct contact with the natural acids in wood accelerates the chemical breakdown of the fiber and can leave stains.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 18 July 2026
Definition of fiber
Noun
  • Being on the road for five months requires the same kind of stamina as being an athlete.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 16 July 2026
  • In a 2024 survey of third-to-eighth-grade teachers, more than 80 percent said that their students’ reading stamina had declined since 2019.
    — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
Definition of stamina
Noun
  • Selections include blue corn butterscotch pancakes in the morning, a slab bacon dish with cheddar grits in the afternoon.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • While there’s no denying my mom’s creative way with leftovers is delicious and resourceful, there’s something to be said for whipping up a pot of grits exclusively for this snackable, stackable dish.
    — Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 16 July 2026
Definition of grit
Noun
  • The first was a controversial climb-back over Egypt from two goals down; the second, a lightning strike of guts and glory in the final minutes to beat England 2-1 and book a spot in the World Cup final.
    — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 16 July 2026
  • Madly sentient guts spill from the sitter’s back in swollen rivulets.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of guts
Noun
  • The slave women are spared, and, after witnessing Odysseus’ bravery, many of the suitors stop fighting and bend the knee to their rightful king.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • Howard-Smith noted some of the standout stories from fire dog history, where Dalmatians became known for their loyalty, bravery and larger-than-life personalities.
    — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 15 July 2026
Definition of bravery

Browse Nearby Words

backbiting
backbone
backboned
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on backbone

Nglish: Translation of backbone for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about backbone

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