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 Batch cooking will become the practical backbone of the trend. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 Low-power wide-area networking (LPWAN) is fast becoming the backbone, or the central nervous system, for Massive IoT, solving range, power and cost barriers at scale. — Alper Yegin, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Icelandic voters rejected the measure amid widespread concern over maintaining control over fishing rights, a backbone of the country’s economy. — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The tablet combines bictegravir, the backbone of Gilead’s blockbuster HIV pill Biktarvy, with lenacapavir, a first-in-class capsid inhibitor that has become a centerpiece of the company’s long-term strategy for HIV treatment and prevention. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 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
  • Almost all her ribs were broken, her spine was fractured, her head and neck were injured.
    — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
  • The team appreciated their captain showing up, despite dealing with the excruciating pain of a herniated disc in her spine.
    — Caoimhe O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of spine
Noun
  • Ceremonies across the state will honor victims, first responders, and the ordinary people who showed extraordinary courage in unimaginable circumstances.
    — James Ward, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The honor, announced today, promotes the practice of investigative journalism exemplifying compassion, courage and integrity.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of courage
Noun
  • Twenty-five years later, that moment remains a symbol of America’s fortitude following the horrific 9/11 terror attacks that killed 2,977 people at the World Trade Center, The Pentagon and in Somerset County, Penn.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
  • To lose them both to separate suicides while facing his own mortality as an active athlete requires true fortitude.
    — Vikram Murthi, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of fortitude
Noun
  • The engines of performance — max heart rate, muscle mass and fast-twitch fibers among them — wane.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Epoxy resin impregnates and binds the reinforcing layers, helping turn the separate fiber skins and honeycomb into one stiff, lightweight structure.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of fiber
Noun
  • Plus, the light, ergonomic ear casings secure up to 50 hours of total charge capsule stamina with rapid quick-charge support.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
  • This one play offers a new snapshot of just how involved playing quarterback is and how much mental stamina and awareness will always be folded in.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of stamina
Noun
  • Fried chicken is not only a symbol of comfort, but also of grit and entrepreneurial spirit.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The main filter comes with a fine-mesh inner basket for capturing particles such as sand, pollen, and other grit.
    — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of grit
Noun
  • But to me, the guts and the root of the whole thing is the writing.
    — Jewly Hight, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Newcastle United Newcastle United 2 Liverpool 2 The kick-in-the-guts last-gasp equaliser apart, this was fun.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of guts
Noun
  • The position requires a particular combination of bravery, confidence and just enough absurdity.
    — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Going any higher in the range, into Z06 and ZR1 territory, commands bravery and many, many more dollars.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on backbone

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about backbone

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