backbone

noun

ˈbak-ˈbōn How to pronounce backbone (audio)
Definition of backbonenext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of backbone Batch cooking will become the practical backbone of the trend. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 Low-power wide-area networking (LPWAN) is fast becoming the backbone, or the central nervous system, for Massive IoT, solving range, power and cost barriers at scale. — Alper Yegin, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Icelandic voters rejected the measure amid widespread concern over maintaining control over fishing rights, a backbone of the country’s economy. — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 30 Aug. 2026 The tablet combines bictegravir, the backbone of Gilead’s blockbuster HIV pill Biktarvy, with lenacapavir, a first-in-class capsid inhibitor that has become a centerpiece of the company’s long-term strategy for HIV treatment and prevention. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
  1. spine
  2. courage
  3. fortitude
  4. fiber
  5. stamina
  6. grit
  7. guts
  8. bravery
Noun
  • As was the raucous song of the small-block two feet from my spine, but that part is probably the least surprising of all.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Land facing uphill and one spine engages; land facing downhill and the other does the job without the need for a pilot to calculate the perfect approach angle.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of spine
Noun
  • Harry must find the courage to prove himself against the darkest wizard of all.
    — Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Through stories and interactive experiences, the Dream Maker will encourage guests to dream big, believe in themselves and lift others up through courage and kindness.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of courage
Noun
  • There are even little icons for things that impact his fortitude and morale meters, like inclement weather or picturesque scenery.
    — Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 29 Aug. 2026
  • This mental fortitude is rooted in physical condition; factors like sleep, fatigue, and stress impact leaders judgment under pressure.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fortitude
Noun
  • The engines of performance — max heart rate, muscle mass and fast-twitch fibers among them — wane.
    — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Epoxy resin impregnates and binds the reinforcing layers, helping turn the separate fiber skins and honeycomb into one stiff, lightweight structure.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of fiber
Noun
  • Plus, the light, ergonomic ear casings secure up to 50 hours of total charge capsule stamina with rapid quick-charge support.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2026
  • This one play offers a new snapshot of just how involved playing quarterback is and how much mental stamina and awareness will always be folded in.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of stamina
Noun
  • The company also described Pete as a character whose grit and stubbornness align with Pittsburgh’s hard-working identity and the franchise’s reputation for physical football.
    — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Sac State players and coaches appreciated the grit of quarterback Carson Conklin, who suffered a wrist injury in the first half and soldiered his way to the end, completing 25 of 46 passes for 221 yards.
    — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of grit
Noun
  • But to me, the guts and the root of the whole thing is the writing.
    — Jewly Hight, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Newcastle United Newcastle United 2 Liverpool 2 The kick-in-the-guts last-gasp equaliser apart, this was fun.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of guts
Noun
  • The position requires a particular combination of bravery, confidence and just enough absurdity.
    — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Going any higher in the range, into Z06 and ZR1 territory, commands bravery and many, many more dollars.
    — Jerry Perez, The Drive, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of bravery

Browse Nearby Words

backbiting
backbone
backboned
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Cite this Entry

“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on backbone

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about backbone

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