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
The Department of Defense uses those measurements for planning things like ship deployment, but it has long been integrated into NASA's own Earth science programs, with algorithms developed at Goddard forming the backbone of the sea-ice concentration datasets.
—
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
The trio of Coulibaly, George, and Sarr provides the defensive backbone the Wizards have been missing.
—Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Sweater dresses are the backbone of my fall wardrobe.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2025
The issue, which Microsoft linked to its global content delivery system, has exposed the scale of dependence on the company’s traffic-routing backbone.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 31 Oct. 2025
The trio of Coulibaly, George, and Sarr provides the defensive backbone the Wizards have been missing.
—Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
Sweater dresses are the backbone of my fall wardrobe.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2025
The issue, which Microsoft linked to its global content delivery system, has exposed the scale of dependence on the company’s traffic-routing backbone.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
Noun
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Backing up that attacking ambition is a spine that should be pushing for the top half.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The crust pressed into my spine, the enormous sky vaulting overhead.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
New Yorkers have always risen to critical moments—demanding not perfection, but courage and connection.—
Sally Susman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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For Sheehan, who takes pride in coaching life lessons to his players, the victory stands as a building block for his program–and a chance to celebrate his team’s fortitude.—
Justin Barrasso,
Boston Herald,
25 Oct. 2025
-
A lot of, uh, impressive mental fortitude is required to.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Women aged 18–50 need about 25-28 grams of fiber per day, while men aged 18–50 need about 31-34 grams.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
29 Oct. 2025
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To achieve continuous production, the researchers replaced the metallic core in earlier SMA coils with natural fiber and redesigned both the weaving machine and the actuator’s structure.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Being proactive provides peace of mind and physical stamina as Mars and Neptune harmonize.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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There’s also an argument — and maybe this is just one for traditionalists — that football is also supposed to be, on some level, a test of individual stamina and adaptability.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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First and foremost, just the grit in our guys and in our group to keep a battling against a team that was moving the ball well.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Nov. 2025
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With passion, perseverance and, yes, grit.—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The Apollo, there’s a chance everyone will hate your guts in unison, and there’s no recovery.—
Nikki McCann Ramirez,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Cover the pumpkin guts with a pile of leaves or other brown materials, and make sure the bin is tightly sealed to keep animals out.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Tour the city’s downtown area with Haunted Saratoga Ghost Tour to learn all about the spirits who haunt the old Canfield Casino and Hattie’s restaurant, uncover the legend of the Witch of Saratoga, and test your bravery by taking a seat in the Saratoga Springs Devil’s Chair.—
Cat Sposato,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Nov. 2025
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In Fire Country, bravery means everything — even at the risk of family.—
Francesca Gariano,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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