spine

noun

ˈspīn How to pronounce spine (audio)
Definition of spinenext
as in vertebra
a column of bones supporting the trunk of a vertebrate animal he hurt his spine in the accident, but the doctor says he'll be walking again in no time

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 spine What drew you to craft the emotional spine of this movie around this? — Zachary Lee, IndieWire, 6 Nov. 2026 Sasha gains not only a spine but a real sense of maturity throughout his romantic journey. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2026 Best of luck to Aneha on getting a brand deal when your 12-episode reality show stint only earned you 10,000 followers, and thoughts and prayers with Cam for his upcoming surgery to implant a spine and a pair of balls. — Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026 While back squats can place stress on the spine, leg extensions limit the load to the lower body only. — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 4 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spine
  1. vertebra
  2. backbone
  3. back
Noun
  • Another piece sliced through his salivary gland before bouncing off his jaw and piercing the back of his neck, severing an artery and embedding in a vertebra.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Tuck your hips under, tilting your pelvis back, and slowly lift your hips toward the ceiling one vertebra at a time.
    — Jenessa Connor, HEALTH, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of vertebra
Noun
  • The Middle East is not the only part of the world where threats to the Internet’s undersea backbone have intensified.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Sinetron, the local soap format, remains the backbone of Indonesian TV series.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of backbone
Noun
  • After his step-back three from the wing kissed off the glass and rattled through the rim, Reaves shrugged.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
  • For the encore, the running back catches helped a convincing win Sunday.
    — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2026
Definition of back

Browse Nearby Words

spindrifts
spine
spine-chilling
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spine. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on spine

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about spine

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