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

Relevance

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

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 This type of symbiotic relationship is common in the invertebrate and plant worlds but rare among vertebrates. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for invertebrate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for invertebrate

Adjective

But despite growing international demand for Chinese goods, domestic consumption remains a critical weak spot in the nation’s economic development.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
The stock plunged 25% for its worst day on record after issuing weak preliminary results for the second quarter.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 July 2026

Definition of weak

Noun

Because of their smaller body sizes than vertebrates, arthropods are often portrayed as prey of vertebrates.

— Jay Kakade July 13, New Atlas, 14 July 2026
Insects and the like Most of the species cats ate were vertebrates – mostly birds, followed by mammals and reptiles.

— Christopher A. Lepczyk, The Conversation, 8 July 2026

Definition of vertebrate

Adjective

Serratia marcescens can occasionally cause infections in people with weakened immune systems or those who are hospitalized.

— Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 9 July 2026
Doctors are also more likely to order the test for those at higher risk of complications from their infection, including very young babies and children, and people with weakened immune systems.

— Alice Park, Time, 8 July 2026

Definition of weakened

Noun

Invertebrates make up more than 70% of all terrestrial animal species and are important pollinators, predators and herbivores in virtually every nonmarine ecosystem.

— Christopher A. Lepczyk, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
When growing in the prairie, rattlesnake master’s spiny leaves deter other herbivores as well as some insects.

— Sheryl DeVore, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026

Definition of herbivore

Adjective

Smaller nonprofit efforts — often faith-based — can also offer a soft landing place, but few exist.

— Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Most accounts read Qatar's rise as gas turned into money, turned into visibility, a soft-power story with expensive props.

— Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 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

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Invertebrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invertebrate. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of invertebrate

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on invertebrate

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

quid pro quo

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes