as in backbones
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
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Recent Examples of spines
The surgeons who rebuild knees, replace hips, and fuse spines for a living have, over decades of practice, developed a set of personal habits that don’t look much like the wellness advice the rest of us hear.
—
Angela Haupt, Time, 15 May 2026
In this one, two Newark teenagers rub their naked spines together in an effort to cure a bad case of bacne while a wild pelican watches them from the corner of the room.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
The songs’ spines are elastic, accommodating the acoustic, the electronic, the Caribbean, the bombastically orchestral, in arrangements that always seem fun for performers to brand with their likeness.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The video is backed by a booming soundtrack, composed by Pascal Wyse, largely using materials found in the desert such as saguaro spines.
—Alina Hartounian, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
Norwegian Lundehunds have six fully functional toes, a neck that can bend backward to touch their spines, and ears that can fold shut to keep water out.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
The technology is engineered to keep customers' spines aligned.
—Charlotte Maracina, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
Most animal defenses, such as camouflage or spines, work broadly against many predator types.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
This includes shrimp shells, crab shells, eggshells, chicken bones, and fish spines.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
Angela Haupt, Time, 15 May 2026
In this one, two Newark teenagers rub their naked spines together in an effort to cure a bad case of bacne while a wild pelican watches them from the corner of the room.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
The songs’ spines are elastic, accommodating the acoustic, the electronic, the Caribbean, the bombastically orchestral, in arrangements that always seem fun for performers to brand with their likeness.
—New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026
The video is backed by a booming soundtrack, composed by Pascal Wyse, largely using materials found in the desert such as saguaro spines.
—Alina Hartounian, NPR, 20 Apr. 2026
Norwegian Lundehunds have six fully functional toes, a neck that can bend backward to touch their spines, and ears that can fold shut to keep water out.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
The technology is engineered to keep customers' spines aligned.
—Charlotte Maracina, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
Most animal defenses, such as camouflage or spines, work broadly against many predator types.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
This includes shrimp shells, crab shells, eggshells, chicken bones, and fish spines.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spines
Noun
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As songwriters, the Ottavianos usually only needed a metaphor, a single beautiful image, or a fun double entendre to serve as narrative backbones.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
26 Apr. 2026
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There's also a perception that squishy invertebrates — creatures without backbones — weren't formidable enough to join the ranks of top predators.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Will Smith see more looks at receiver with Veach having added three new backs this offseason?—
Pete Sweeney
May 22,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
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Researchers also found that repositioning the light causes insects to stall mid-air and turn their bodies so that their backs face the light perpendicularly at all times.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spines. Accessed 25 May. 2026.
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