as in weak
lacking strength of will or character
an invertebrate Congress that blithely went along with the President's ill-conceived plan
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of invertebrate
Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2023
A year later, the state budgeted $10 million to pull DNA out of historic insect collections, as well as to launch ambitious new field studies to better understand the extent of California’s invertebrate biodiversity.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2022
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Initiated in 2019, the partnership between the two centers on the creation of a research unit around the biology of the precious coral, also known as Mediterranean red coral, aims to better understand the marine invertebrate and contribute to its preservation.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for invertebrate
Adjective
Jessica Ware is associate curator of invertebrate zoology at the American Museum of Natural History.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2023
A year later, the state budgeted $10 million to pull DNA out of historic insect collections, as well as to launch ambitious new field studies to better understand the extent of California’s invertebrate biodiversity.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2022
Noun
In its second major collection, published in the Biodiversity Data Journal, over 20 researchers from around the world came together to describe 14 new marine invertebrate species and two new genera.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
Initiated in 2019, the partnership between the two centers on the creation of a research unit around the biology of the precious coral, also known as Mediterranean red coral, aims to better understand the marine invertebrate and contribute to its preservation.
—Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for invertebrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invertebrate
Adjective
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But relying on the military to supplant the role traditionally performed by civilian law enforcement entails risks in a region where military institutions and oversight are weaker, armed forces have a legacy of human rights abuses and corruption is a perennial challenge.—
JOSHUA GOODMAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Mar. 2026
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January’s stronger-than-expected total was likely buoyed by some one-time factors (notably, weaker holiday hiring that meant fewer post-holiday layoffs, and unseasonably warm weather in the early part of the month that boosted industries like construction).—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Hundreds of new vertebrates annually.—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
6 Mar. 2026
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Here, Sihang Zhang and Peiyun Cong found specimens of two myllokunmingid species, representing the earliest vertebrates.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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While most people recover fairly quickly from HMPV, people with weakened immune system or other medical conditions, or who are very young or old, are more likely to suffer serious illness, the Mayo Clinic said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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This type of infection is more serious for newborns, adults over 65 and those with weakened immune systems.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Rhynchosaurs were among the most successful land herbivores at that time, living alongside the earliest dinosaurs.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
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The herbivore is believed to be 125 million years old and once lived in northeastern China.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The walnut desks, the Carrera marble, the Morrocan tile, the Savoir beds (so firm-soft that Goldilocks would weep)—it’s all elegant yet easy, thrown together with savvy intention.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
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There’s an update on the barn jacket in a soft light blue wash, with a contrast white leather collar; a sweeping denim car coat ideal for transitional weather, and an A-line denim skirt designed to be worn over pants.—
Libby Page,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Salty Parmesan, spicy baby arugula leaves, and creamy white beans combine to form a hearty salad perfect for vegetarian guests or carnivores craving greens.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
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Nile monitors are carnivores that actively hunt vertebrate prey.—
Sergio Candido,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The nagging wife, the angry daughter and the spineless detective.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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He must be impeached, but with a spineless Congress and a corrupt Supreme Court how this will happen is in grave doubt.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Invertebrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invertebrate. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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