vertebrates

noun

plural of vertebrate
as in animals
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 vertebrates 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 Because of their smaller body sizes than vertebrates, arthropods are often portrayed as prey of vertebrates. — Jay Kakade july 13, New Atlas, 14 July 2026 Insects and the like Most of the species cats ate were vertebrates – mostly birds, followed by mammals and reptiles. — Christopher A. Lepczyk, The Conversation, 8 July 2026 They are thought to be one of the first vertebrates that made a partial transition from an aquatic to a terrestrial lifestyle. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2026 Even more frightening, the percentage exceeded 50% in many groups, including insects, terrestrial vertebrates, and marine species. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 21 June 2026 During the Early Devonian Period, life on land was still relatively new, and many of the ancestors of modern vertebrates had yet to emerge from the water. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vertebrates
  1. animals
  2. creatures
  3. critters
  4. quadrupeds
  5. beasties
Noun
  • People constantly move throughout the space cleaning out cages and checking on any sick animals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Visitors have been asked to report anyone putting themselves or the animals at risk to police.
    — Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of animals
Noun
  • Many creatures have imprinted on our hearts — and even a city sidewalk — for making their homes near ours.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Thanks in part to a National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowship, Drew explored several designs for flying and became interested in creating robots that flap their wings in a way similar to real-life creatures.
    — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of creatures
Noun
  • From rats and mice to cockroaches and pigeons, lots of critters are known to roam New York City’s streets.
    — Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, use a Bug Blaster hose end sprayer to blast the upper and undersides of the leaves with water and blow the critters away.
    — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of critters
Noun
  • But there will be fewer bodies for those brains to go into, at least in the US, after Washington this week banned new foreign humanoids and quadrupeds.
    — J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 31 July 2026
  • The ban follows a determination by the administration that allowing the robots — along with doglike quadrupeds or machines on wheels — into the country presents a national security risk.
    — Ian Duncan, Washington Post, 28 July 2026
Definition of quadrupeds
Noun
  • Greg and Denise are having some marital issues, but everybody needs to put other concerns aside to stay alive with nasty raptors and other hungry beasties around.
    — Brian Truitt, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
  • And when that happens, astronomers will set about studying these new beasties with other eyes on the sky to learn more about them and hopefully understand them.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 24 July 2026
Definition of beasties

Browse Nearby Words

vertebrate
vertebrates
vertex
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Cite this Entry

“Vertebrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vertebrates. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of vertebrates for Spanish Speakers

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