as in animals
biology
an animal that has a backbone
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Recent Examples of vertebrates
Here, Sihang Zhang and Peiyun Cong found specimens of two myllokunmingid species, representing the earliest vertebrates.
—
New Atlas, 16 Feb. 2026
The findings also suggest that herbivory evolved independently in several different groups of early land vertebrates, not just in the ancestors of modern reptiles.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
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
New Atlas, 16 Feb. 2026
The findings also suggest that herbivory evolved independently in several different groups of early land vertebrates, not just in the ancestors of modern reptiles.
—Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vertebrates
Noun
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But Western brands often treat the zodiac like a rotating visual gimmick — 12 animals, 12 years, rinse and repeat.—
Yiling Pan,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
-
If there’s more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and less oxygen, for example, animals will be smaller and plants will thrive under those conditions, changing the balance of life.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images The strategic trading card game Magic, which was created in 1993, typically features two players going head-to-head using custom decks of collectible cards to cast spells, unleash creatures or use artifacts to defeat their opponent.—
Sarah Whitten,
CNBC,
21 Feb. 2026
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Every morning, animal care manager Kim Carr stops by to prepare breakfast, scattering treats across their enclosures that are filled with fake tree trunks, log piles and hanging branches — an organic jungle gym for creatures that are born to climb and play.—
Shi En Kim,
AZCentral.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Whichever predator was involved, Henrici notes that the regurgitalite confirms that one of these animals snacked broadly on the smaller critters around it and could vomit up indigestible material, much as modern owls and Komodo dragons do today.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
18 Feb. 2026
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But at many shelters, including Marin Humane, there are lots of other critters looking for their forever homes.—
Lisa Bloch,
Mercury News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Prices typically range from about $5,000 for quadrupeds to $20,000 for humanoids.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
-
Abby’s Magical Beasties, where one of the beasties goes missing, and Abby must problem-solve.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
3 Nov. 2025
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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 23 Feb. 2026.
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