invertebrate 1 of 2

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈvər-tə-brət How to pronounce invertebrate (audio)
Definition of invertebratenext
as in weak
lacking strength of will or character an invertebrate Congress that blithely went along with the President's ill-conceived plan

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

invertebrate

2 of 2

noun

as in vertebrate

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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 invertebrate
Adjective
There will be hands-on training to conduct water quality testing and macro-invertebrate sampling. — Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025 Jessica Ware is associate curator of invertebrate zoology at the American Museum of Natural History. — Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2023
Noun
When Jo arrives on the island, however, Nadia is missing, and the jellyfish appears to be much more than a mere invertebrate. — Tessa Yang, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026 Previous Conservation Station elements including the veterinary treatment room, animal nutrition window and the amphibian, reptile and invertebrate windows again will be available. — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for invertebrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for invertebrate
  1. weak
  2. vertebrate
  3. weakened
  4. herbivore
  5. soft
  6. carnivore
  7. spineless
Adjective
  • Many forex brokers respond to weak rankings by publishing more market guides, adding country pages and building links.
    — David Ispiryan, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Slow money growth means weak nominal growth and low inflation, which in turn keeps interest rates and bond yields depressed—and the yen weak.
    — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of weak
Noun
  • Others, including Erin Maxwell, an expert on Early Jurassic marine vertebrates at the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart, disagree.
    — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Erin Maxwell, an expert in Early Jurassic marine vertebrates at the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart, Germany, lamented the sale as a loss to the UK.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of vertebrate
Adjective
  • Salmonella infections can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps and can be particularly severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Doctors say severe cases are seen more often in elderly patients, people with weakened immune systems, and those with liver disease, diabetes and certain chronic illnesses.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of weakened
Noun
  • Hippos, which are herbivores, are the third-largest land animal after elephants and white rhinos and can weigh as much as 8,000 pounds.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Woolly mammoths coexisted with early humans who hunted the cold-resistant herbivores for food and used their tusks and bones as tools.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of herbivore
Adjective
  • Quilt sets are oversized, reversible and buttery soft, made from the same smart fabric as the favorite sheets with a 100% inner cotton lining, recently named a Good Housekeeping favorite.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Expect a calm palette of neutrals and soft blues, metallic accents, and plenty of natural light, with views either west toward the mountains and desert or north up the Strip.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of soft
Noun
  • Grain-free Cats are carnivores and don’t need grains in their diets.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • That, paired with the smoky sausage and flavorful ham, was a carnivore’s paradise.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of carnivore
Adjective
  • And now the nation will probably never get back to normal because a spineless GOP can never admit that it’s been conned.
    — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 22 May 2026
  • Some of Thomas’s critique appeared to be aimed at weak-willed conservatives, including his fellow-Justices, for being, as Thomas perceives it, too spineless to stand up for the ideals enshrined in the Declaration.
    — Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
Definition of spineless

Browse Nearby Words

invert
invertebrate
invertebrates
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Cite this Entry

“Invertebrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invertebrate. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on invertebrate

Nglish: Translation of invertebrate for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about invertebrate

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