as in animals
biology
an animal that has a backbone
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Recent Examples of vertebrates
The fruit fly research by Freeman’s team indicates the next steps in research in vertebrates; in the same Science issue the group reported that norepinephrine changes how astrocytes respond to input from neurons.
—
Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
Suddenly, most of the major groups of animals alive today — including vertebrates which would eventually include humans — evolved and started populating the world's oceans.
—CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Ethanol is a potential toxin for all vertebrates, including bats and humans.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2025
Evergreen ground covers also shelter overwintering pollinators and provide year-round habit for ground-dwelling insects and vertebrates.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025
But birds, like all vertebrates, can’t synthesize carotenoid pigments on their own.
—David Toews, The Conversation, 11 Dec. 2025
Estimated to exceed 120 feet in length and weigh around 69 tons, this colossal saurpod offered new insight into the size limits of terrestrial vertebrates.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
Birds, the warm-blooded and feathered vertebrates, are being used to put romantic partners to the test.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
The species feeds by relying on symbiotic bacteria to break down fats inside the bones of large vertebrates, like whales.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
Suddenly, most of the major groups of animals alive today — including vertebrates which would eventually include humans — evolved and started populating the world's oceans.
—CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Ethanol is a potential toxin for all vertebrates, including bats and humans.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2025
Evergreen ground covers also shelter overwintering pollinators and provide year-round habit for ground-dwelling insects and vertebrates.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025
But birds, like all vertebrates, can’t synthesize carotenoid pigments on their own.
—David Toews, The Conversation, 11 Dec. 2025
Estimated to exceed 120 feet in length and weigh around 69 tons, this colossal saurpod offered new insight into the size limits of terrestrial vertebrates.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
Birds, the warm-blooded and feathered vertebrates, are being used to put romantic partners to the test.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
The species feeds by relying on symbiotic bacteria to break down fats inside the bones of large vertebrates, like whales.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vertebrates
Noun
-
The only animals Cook’s crew saw apart from wild birds were rats and chickens, both eaten.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
No one was injured, but two animals died early Tuesday from a fire in Chicago's Roseland neighborhood.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Groundhogs are generally solitary creatures that emerge in midwinter to find a mate.—
Mark Scolforo,
Fortune,
31 Jan. 2026
-
The clip ends with the couple paddling away, clearly shaken but unharmed and newly aware of just how small they are compared to one of the ocean’s largest creatures.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
After stepping through a giant wooden door, tall grass teems with wild Pokémon, adorable critters strike charming poses and battles break out between fierce opponents.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
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As warmer days begin to prevail in North Texas, residents may see tiny black critters emerging from the melting snow and ice.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Skild Brain is omni-bodied, capable of operating across multiple robot morphologies, including humanoids, quadrupeds, mobile manipulators, and tabletop arms.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Jan. 2026
-
The exploit impacts Unitree’s Go2 and B2 quadrupeds and G1 and H1 humanoids.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Abby’s Magical Beasties, where one of the beasties goes missing, and Abby must problem-solve.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
3 Nov. 2025
-
In a horrific twist, Kasumi (Kana Hanazawa) wakes up way too early — and thus has to battle the ferocious beasties to survive.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vertebrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vertebrates. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.
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