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
While the defense is a critical part of the Jets’ strategy, Hellebuyck is their ultimate backbone.
—
The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
At a moment when workforce shortages and declining productivity threaten the nation’s industrial backbone, Farley called for bold action and new partnerships to restore American leadership and innovation.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025
The small business community is the backbone of American industries, ranging from hospitality to healthcare.
—Elaine Parker, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025
But the backbone of the agency — its administrative and support teams at headquarters and regional offices — could be sidelined or forced to work without pay until the standoff ends.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
At a moment when workforce shortages and declining productivity threaten the nation’s industrial backbone, Farley called for bold action and new partnerships to restore American leadership and innovation.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025
The small business community is the backbone of American industries, ranging from hospitality to healthcare.
—Elaine Parker, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025
But the backbone of the agency — its administrative and support teams at headquarters and regional offices — could be sidelined or forced to work without pay until the standoff ends.
—Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
Noun
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If a mattress is too soft, the heavier parts of your body can sink and your spine will likely get out of alignment.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
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Similarly, lumbar bone stress injuries such as pars (a stress fracture to the pars interarticularis, a small segment of bone in the lumbar spine) can also be an issue.—
Sarah Shephard,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
For her kindness and friendship, for her humour and irrepressible enthusiasm, for her curiosity, for her courage, and for her profound love of animals.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
6 Oct. 2025
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Shout out to Ayesha for giving voice to other married women who are grieving old identities and seeking the courage to craft new ones.—
Essence,
Essence,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Their fortitude resulted in a thoughtful, lyrically dense project that ‘Nandez likens to a collection of personal and political anecdotes rapped on production that Preservation built around ‘Nandez baritone vocal tone.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
30 Sep. 2025
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But the trip is going to be an extreme test of fortitude, fate, and faith, evidenced by Lionsgate's preview revealing obstacles including a hellish radiation storm, monster waves, meteors pummeling the Earth, and lethal bands of desperate survivors prowling the continent.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Chia Seeds Chia seeds contain soluble fiber that helps increase fullness and supports healthy digestion.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Bifidobacterium boosts the immune system, balances inflammation, regulates metabolism and helps to digest certain carbohydrates and dietary fibers.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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To some, that percentage is either an ominous sign for his entire offensive game or a signal that his free-throw shooting can improve as his stamina improves.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Steadier Energy Levels When taken together, magnesium and B6 may help reduce fatigue, improve stamina, and support steady energy throughout the day.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Even if Schottenheimer wants to deny it, a lot of the grit that players and the owner pointed to that was shown in the game goes right back to him.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Oct. 2025
-
It's always been known for its grit, undergoing major reconstruction projects in the mid-2000s when Swift was in the area.—
Audrey Gibbs,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Instead, the severity of Barkov’s injury hit Finland’s Olympic hockey team like a punch in the guts.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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But with some notable exceptions, particularly during the 1968 Tet Offensive, network news cameras generally got nowhere close enough to combat in order to film blood, guts, and gore.—
Time,
Time,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Moomins, created by Finnish artist and writer Tove Jansson during WWII, are gentle, rotund trolls who live in Moominvalley, a magical place where adventures are always waiting around the corner and the values of friendship, bravery and respect are ever-present.—
Carole Horst,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
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Police said due to the bravery of worshippers and staff at the synagogue, as well as the police response time, the suspect wasn’t able to get inside the building.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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