vertebrate

noun

Definition of vertebratenext
as in animal
biology an animal that has a backbone

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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 vertebrate Others, including Erin Maxwell, an expert on Early Jurassic marine vertebrates at the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart, disagree. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Erin Maxwell, an expert in Early Jurassic marine vertebrates at the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart, Germany, lamented the sale as a loss to the UK. — News Desk, Artforum, 11 Aug. 2026 In humans and other vertebrates, aging hearts typically accumulate scar-like collagen deposits called fibrosis. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026 Like Jimothy, Cooper has short spine syndrome, a rare congenital condition in which an animal's vertebrate doesn't develop into bone during fetal development. — Greta Cross, USA Today, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for vertebrate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vertebrate
  1. animal
  2. creature
  3. critter
Noun
  • Teeling and other bat researchers are studying aspects of the animals’ longevity, including bats’ ability to repair their DNA and harbor viruses without getting sick, for clues in order to enhance our own lives.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The Los Angeles city attorney’s office is suing an animal rescue organization that was once a favorite among Hollywood celebrities, alleging that its owner purchased dogs from puppy mills and portrayed them to adopters as animals that were rescued.
    — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of animal
Noun
  • The special effects team has done terrific work re-creating his body down to the creature’s fringed lashes.
    — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Again, another smash cut around Middle-earth reveals new flying and burrowing creatures, a shot of the Balrog (voiced by Simon Pegg) and more people armed with swords fighting for their lives.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of creature
Noun
  • There were minor changes — more large spiders and other creepy critters were added to one foreboding tunnel — but also some substantial ones designed to increase the attraction’s capacity and reliability.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Scientists have found that critters as diverse as monkeys and nematodes (aka roundworms) can sense and steer clear of feces, for instance, which can harbor harmful bacteria.
    — Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of critter

Browse Nearby Words

vertebral columns
vertebrate
vertebrates
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Cite this Entry

“Vertebrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vertebrate. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on vertebrate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vertebrate

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