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
Copper has historically been a key backbone of networking gear, but today’s modern accelerated data centers are creating a bigger role for fiber-optics technology — the crux of our thesis in Corning.
—
Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2026
The Admiral Schley’s High Ball is a lovely and disarming drink, the bright fruit of the pineapple teasing out the honeyed brightness of the dessert wine, with the mild oak from the Irish Whiskey providing structure, a kind of a gentle but present backbone.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2026
The same year, Microsoft debuted its first retail version of the Excel that would eventually become the backbone of financial work across the globe.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Parish life formed the backbone of the community.
—Paula Kane, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2026
The Admiral Schley’s High Ball is a lovely and disarming drink, the bright fruit of the pineapple teasing out the honeyed brightness of the dessert wine, with the mild oak from the Irish Whiskey providing structure, a kind of a gentle but present backbone.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2026
The same year, Microsoft debuted its first retail version of the Excel that would eventually become the backbone of financial work across the globe.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2026
Parish life formed the backbone of the community.
—Paula Kane, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
Noun
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The movement also strengthens the transverse abdominis − a deep muscle that stabilizes the core − and a group of muscles that runs along the spine known as the erector spinae.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
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At the same time, your core muscles dynamically stabilize your spine to maintain upright posture as your weight transfers from one leg to the other.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Name your values and state your boundaries, then celebrate your courage with something that restores your spark.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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Creative courage returns as the instinctive Moon conjoins mischievous Mercury in your 5th House of Play, urging you to express whatever stirs within.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Wizards showed more fortitude on Thursday.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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If winning is the only goal, then war is, by profound inference, a game, a test of masculine fortitude.—
Casey Ryan Kelly,
The Conversation,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Flax Company’s core business is in linen fiber, both for the pure linen industry and cotton spinning applications.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Mar. 2026
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The geometric tulip motif has a vintage look that still feels aligned with today’s trends and the washable jute and wool blend won’t pick up dirt or stains as easily as more delicate fibers.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Tips on Preventing Injury, From a Run Coach Run coach Meg Takacs, the founder of Movement and Miles—an app that helps runners build mobility and stamina—says this study’s findings track with what she’s seen with her athletes.—
Emma Loewe,
Outside,
11 Mar. 2026
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Gudmundsson’s stamina was on show at the end of that match, too.—
Beren Cross,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The players lived up to the program’s high standard of hustle and grit.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
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There's real grit underneath the shag haircut and thigh-high boots, though; see the discotheque scene, where her entire body vibrates with a desperate mix of hope, terror, and determination.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Classical music begins with blood and guts.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
13 Mar. 2026
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Sources familiar with the intelligence say that Khamenei believed no one had the guts to strike him.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Forced into bravery alone in space, there’s no time or space for self-doubt, only action.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
19 Mar. 2026
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To render into the world a thing with no material qualities is a trick that requires bravery and luck, and is akin to art, which in the making can be uncertain and uncomfortable but in other moments sublime.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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