INVERTEBRATE Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

invertebrate 1 of 2

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈvər-tə-brət

Definition of invertebrate

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

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

Adjective

The heat has caused a fall in nuclear generation, with power plants forced to shut down or reduce production across the region, while wind power generation has been weak over the summer.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The state financial watchdog attributed the disbursement problems to administrative delays, weak project management, and late counterpart funding from the Congolese government.

— Ruben Nyanguila, semafor.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of weak

Noun

Although people sometimes use animals informally to mean only vertebrates (animals with backbones) or even just mammals, in biology the term includes insects as well.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of vertebrate

Adjective

The bacteria can cause illnesses that could be fatal for children younger than 5, elderly people or people with weakened or compromised immune systems.

— Julia Gomez, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026
However, Alt was limited to just six games after dealing with multiple ankle injuries, leaving the Chargers' offensive line in a weakened state.

— Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of weakened

Noun

But Carcache wonders whether the vine might also deter herbivores, offering some protection to its host.

— Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
That shape could be consistent with tracks left by either theropods — a group that includes meat-eating dinosaurs — or ornithopods, which were bipedal herbivores.

— Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of herbivore

Adjective

Offer a realistic time, suggest a softer plan, and let honesty keep the connection easy.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
There has always been something compelling about Paul Baker, something about the interplay between his frat-star good looks and Canadian soft-boy heart.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of soft

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

Style

“Invertebrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invertebrate. Accessed 30 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of invertebrate

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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