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 new species was identified by its body proportions, spines, scale pattern, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said.
—
Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Spicomellus had a back that was probably bristling with sharper spines, along with far larger ones along its outer edges.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
Calderon also looks for hardcover books and pays attention to the spines, not the fragile jackets.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2025
Expect to marvel at saddles blanketed in blueberries and multi-hued wildflowers, marmots trilling their warnings, ibex perched on rocky spines, and neon critters that wiggle and hop underfoot.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Spicomellus had a back that was probably bristling with sharper spines, along with far larger ones along its outer edges.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2025
Calderon also looks for hardcover books and pays attention to the spines, not the fragile jackets.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2025
Expect to marvel at saddles blanketed in blueberries and multi-hued wildflowers, marmots trilling their warnings, ibex perched on rocky spines, and neon critters that wiggle and hop underfoot.
—Wendy Altschuler, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spines
Noun
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Platform product management is rarely treated as a strategic, first-class discipline, resulting in fragmented backbones that fail to support enterprise-wide innovation.—
Gaurav Dixit,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
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By trading in metal backbones for a soft familiar-feeling vest, the wearable robot offers a more cost-effective and approachable solution for the millions of individuals worldwide who could possibly benefit from moderate limb support.—
Mack DeGeurin Aug 21,
Popular Science,
21 Aug. 2025
Noun
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One of these is Trent Alexander-Arnold but, as The Athletic has reported, a position change to midfield was not discussed in depth during the process of his transfer from Liverpool as Madrid saw him as one of the best right-backs in the world.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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While many around the world may only recall the images of houses underwater and families carrying each other on their backs and in their arms seeking shelter, survivors like New Orleans artist and performer at the 20th Annual Commemoration event, Allay Earhart, still relive that day vividly.—
Essence,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spines. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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