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
Country risers have always been the backbone of the entire festival, and this year was no different.
—
Chris Barilla, People.com, 10 June 2025
The analysis focused on front-line workers employed by nonprofits who serve as a backbone of L.A. County’s homeless response and connect people with housing, job training, food assistance and medical care.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
After copper, the backbone of the Chilean economy accounting for more than half of the gross domestic product, salmon products are, albeit distantly, the country's second-largest export.
—John Bartlett, NPR, 8 June 2025
Microsoft also highlights how support apps like Discord, Twitch, and downloadable game mods will also be directly available via the Xbox Ally's Windows backbone.
—ArsTechnica, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Chris Barilla, People.com, 10 June 2025
The analysis focused on front-line workers employed by nonprofits who serve as a backbone of L.A. County’s homeless response and connect people with housing, job training, food assistance and medical care.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2025
After copper, the backbone of the Chilean economy accounting for more than half of the gross domestic product, salmon products are, albeit distantly, the country's second-largest export.
—John Bartlett, NPR, 8 June 2025
Microsoft also highlights how support apps like Discord, Twitch, and downloadable game mods will also be directly available via the Xbox Ally's Windows backbone.
—ArsTechnica, 8 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
Noun
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In contrast, severe scoliosis corrections may involve staged surgeries, intensive care, or traction devices like halo clamps, where weights gradually realign the spine over weeks to minimize spinal cord risks.—
Richard Menger MD MPA,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
-
Everyone wants kitchen cabinets that don't send a chill up the spine when a guest opens one in search of a spoon, and drawers where finding the right measuring cup is easy.—
Tessa Cooper,
Southern Living,
17 June 2025
Noun
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Some have said his victory gave them the courage to come out to their families and friends, and even to themselves.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
-
Katz emphasizes Adams’ courage in publishing Lesbian Love.—
Kellie B. Gormly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Their courage and fortitude are coupled with gratitude and are free from complaint.—
Chris Harris,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
-
What kind of fortitude, what kind of lack of temptation to over expand?—
EW.com,
EW.com,
26 May 2025
Noun
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In the article, Fashion for Good argues that the generalization that cotton is a thirsty crop and claims that one kilogram of cotton fiber consumes 20,000 liters of water is inaccurate.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
26 June 2025
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Generally, fiber is costlier upfront but lasts for decades and supports other technologies, whereas satellites rack up steep maintenance costs through regular replacement launches.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Noun
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Khamenei may bet that Israel doesn’t have the capacity, stamina or will to maintain a war of attrition with Iran over the long term and that the longer the missile exchanges go on, the more political pressure Netanyahu will feel to come to the table.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2025
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The race is a grueling test of both speed and stamina, requiring teams to not only push their machines to the limit but also carefully manage their drivers across the full day and night of racing.—
Jenn Nelson,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
Noun
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The Lakers, however, showed grit despite losing Chamberlain to a knee injury, and got within 103-102 with a little more than three minutes remaining.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
22 June 2025
-
But Walters shattered those barriers through her grit and wits.—
Stephen Battaglio,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
Noun
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The ship's new namesake, Oscar V. Peterson, was a naval officer who was killed in World War II and posthumously granted a Medal of Honor by Congress for bravery during the war.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
27 June 2025
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Ideas flowed from product engineers to senior leaders, creating a shared sense of bravery, purpose and camaraderie.—
Stephen McKeown,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Noun
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Then the market for EVs started showing signs of slowing down, and the current administration’s determination to eliminate the federal tax credit for EVs started to alter the trajectory of the battery-electric vehicle uptake.—
Kristin Shaw,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
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While there is an investigation looking into what caused the Air India disaster, no official determination has been issued yet.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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