Synonyms of backbone

backbone

noun

ˈbak-ˈbōn 

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

• spine
• back
• vertebra
• spinal column
• vertebral column
• chine
• spinal cord

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

• courage
• fortitude
• fiber
• stamina
• grit
• guts
• bravery
• determination
• courageousness
• spunk
• endurance
• pluck
• nerve
• constancy
• intestinal fortitude
• grittiness
• tolerance
• resolution
• resoluteness
• purposefulness
• stoutness
• daring
• valor
• fearlessness
• mettle
• gallantry
• heart
• spirit
• brass
• sufferance
• forbearance
• audacity
• boldness
• dauntlessness
• intrepidity
• chutzpah
• temerity
• gall
• intrepidness
• doughtiness
• greatheartedness
• effrontery
• hardihood
• cheek
• nerviness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• spinelessness
• vacillation
• indecisiveness
• irresolution
• cowardice
• timidity
• pusillanimity
• cowardliness
• irresoluteness
• faintheartedness
• timorousness
• cravenness
• dastardliness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of backbone

But the Longhorns’ defense has remained the backbone of the team. — Pj Green november 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2026

Mike Macdonald’s defense is still the backbone, and the last thing Seattle wants is a shootout that puts the game on Sam Darnold’s shoulders. — Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026

This is just a fact (and the backbone of two episodes of Blank Check). — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

Ukraine this month reported sudden and unexpected limits on Starshield, the military-grade version of the Starlink satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX that is the backbone of Ukraine’s drone operations and communications. — Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026