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
Visitors have the opportunity to interact with stingrays and invertebrate species, and attend educational programs that give more information on local gamefish, sharks, and sea turtles. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 June 2026 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 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
  • Trump was implying Ukraine was in a weak negotiating position and did not have the military resources to fight against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
    — Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2026
  • And some players are turning on the season as seen by them letting the Jaguars tear through weak tackle attempts to the tune of 183 rushing yards and three passing TDs by Trevor Lawrence.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of weak
Noun
  • Telomere genes serve as the protective ends for chromosomes, and biologists theorize this may partially explain why spider chromosomes evolve so much faster than vertebrates.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Once the most populous vertebrate in their mountain habitat, the wild population of these tiny amphibians had dwindled to fewer than 200 by 2021.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of vertebrate
Adjective
  • The plan is for the two kaiju to fight so the humans might have an easier time doing a coup de grâce on the weakened victor.
    — James Grebey, Time, 3 Nov. 2026
  • People with weakened immune systems and those who cannot be vaccinated are also at risk, the statement said.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of weakened
Noun
  • Mastodons were massive, elephant-like herbivores that went extinct roughly 11,700 years ago, near the end of the last Ice Age.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The same process occurs in the radish’s spicier cousins, and the resulting chemicals are thought to help deter herbivores and pests.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of herbivore
Adjective
  • The researchers aim to combine the flexibility of soft robots with the reconfigurability of modular robotic systems.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Every room includes complimentary daily use of a beach chair, soft top surfboard, or boogie board (subject to availability).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of soft
Noun
  • National Park Service scientists began studying carnivores in and around the Santa Monica Mountains in 1996.
    — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The nest is redolent of carnivore, a mix of their own potent musk and the stink of blood and decay.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of carnivore
Adjective
  • That’s what Mekko was doing at Fresh Start, at least according to spineless Lonnie, who Ginger is able to flip from her kidnapper to her co-conspirator over the course of a three-minute conversation.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2026
  • As one of the Brat Pack’s heartthrobs, Andrew McCarthy plays wealthy but spineless Blane, who eventually caves to peer pressure and bails on his burgeoning relationship with Andie.
    — Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 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 15 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on invertebrate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about invertebrate

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