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
In the background, composer Jerskin Fendrix worked with Lanthimos’ team to build the intensity and send a chill down viewers’ spines with his avant-garde music.
—
Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Parents have always needed to raise children with strong spines, thick skins and moral virtue.
—Abby McCloskey, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
Dendritic spines retract, which leads to communication between neurons decreasing dramatically.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Parents have always needed to raise children with strong spines, thick skins and moral virtue.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
Explore and discover Inside the stacks, zigzag shelves allow some of the books to be judged by their covers rather than by their spines.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Calderon also looks for hardcover books and pays attention to the spines, not the fragile jackets.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
The tuatara is a charismatic medium-size reptile with a Muppet-like face and a row of spines running down its back.
—Elizabeth Preston, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
At a distance many of these plants appear fluffy, with a bushiness that upon closer inspection reveals hundreds, likely thousands, of prickly spines.
—Von Diaz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Dec. 2025
Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
Parents have always needed to raise children with strong spines, thick skins and moral virtue.
—Abby McCloskey, Boston Herald, 24 Jan. 2026
Dendritic spines retract, which leads to communication between neurons decreasing dramatically.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Parents have always needed to raise children with strong spines, thick skins and moral virtue.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 22 Jan. 2026
Explore and discover Inside the stacks, zigzag shelves allow some of the books to be judged by their covers rather than by their spines.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 18 Jan. 2026
Calderon also looks for hardcover books and pays attention to the spines, not the fragile jackets.
—Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026
The tuatara is a charismatic medium-size reptile with a Muppet-like face and a row of spines running down its back.
—Elizabeth Preston, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025
At a distance many of these plants appear fluffy, with a bushiness that upon closer inspection reveals hundreds, likely thousands, of prickly spines.
—Von Diaz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spines
Noun
-
Many are Latin American or African immigrants working in the agricultural, tourism or service sectors, backbones of Spain’s booming economy.—
Renata Brito,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Jan. 2026
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In the economy of tomorrow, community colleges and vocational-technical schools—optimized for true lifelong learning with apprenticeship and mentorship programs—will likely be the backbones of public and private education alike.—
Eric Holcomb,
Time,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The medley for winter-weary Americans has included everything from aching backs from shoveling to sore throats to frozen noses.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The Bulls had their backs against a wall.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spines. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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