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 As the pancetta cooks, its savory, aromatic drippings become the backbone of the dish. — Inés Anguiano, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026 Later, North Korea’s Nodong-1 missile was adapted into the Shahab-3—the backbone of Iran’s modern long-range strike capabilities, including variants like the Emad and Ghadr. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 17 Aug. 2026 So Black voters are known as the backbone of the Democratic Party because about 80 to 90% of Black voters vote Democrat. — Dana Taylor, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026 Three veterans in Samson Okunlola, Matt McCoy and Ryan Rodriguez form the backbone of the group. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 16 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
  • Slowly drop the chin to the chest, lightly pulling down through the spine.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Prolonged sitting leads to a hunched spine and underused glutes.
    — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of spine
Noun
  • But when a traumatic drunken night resurfaces, Júlía must confront shame, family responsibilities and the courage to tell her own story, reads the logline.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Cammack, who was one of the first House Republicans with the courage to speak out about Mills, should push hard for changes.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of courage
Noun
  • Richards somehow had the fortitude to continue a grueling European tour in the middle of all this chaos and sorrow, but a stadium run through America at the end of the summer was simply too much to ask.
    — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Camping can be either a delightful pastime or a test of fortitude, depending largely on the bug situation.
    — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of fortitude
Noun
  • From Long Island to orbit The new FSO connection is not intended to replace fiber.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Some appeal appraisals have relied on sales of much smaller or older buildings, or buildings in less desirable areas without access to the same power and fiber lines.
    — Alex Nitkin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of fiber
Noun
  • That's far better than most other gaming handhelds, especially compared with my personal Pocket, which has seen a severe drop in stamina over the last few years and can now only last two or three hours at best.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
  • But what stuck out more than the Giants’ toughness in those skirmishes was their football stamina.
    — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of stamina
Noun
  • Carlos Baleba offers United a different profile to Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, a combination of energy, defensive grit, and ball-carrying that should suit Carrick’s midfield well.
    — Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The work included repairs to the Gibson Ranch Lift Station and paving, lighting, piping and other infrastructure improvements associated with the treatment plant’s grit filtration system.
    — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of grit
Noun
  • What kind of superhero show has the guts to kill off its lead character in the first episode?
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
  • This one is a teen slasher that will cover you with blood and guts at every turn.
    — Alaina Urquhart, PEOPLE, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of guts
Noun
  • The size of the wave highlights the ocean’s raw power and the bravery of the surfer.
    — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • That, compounded by plummeting hormones that cause vaginal dryness and painful intercourse, makes this moment for many midlife women a test in bravery.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 21 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on backbone

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about backbone

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