backbone

noun

ˈbak-ˈbōn How to pronounce backbone (audio)
Definition of backbonenext
1
as in spine
a column of bones supporting the trunk of a vertebrate animal found the backbone of a fish lying on the beach

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in courage
the strength of mind that enables a person to endure pain or hardship it takes backbone to stand up to the kind of suffering that some cancer patients must endure

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 backbone The language that's known as the backbone of the internet is now subject to what experts describe as one of the most notable vulnerabilities in recent memory. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 The arthropod group includes animals that are without a backbone or any bones at all, strictly speaking, their bodies being encased in a ringed, exterior tegument and having legs and, sometimes, wings. — Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 In its public financial documents, SpaceX has indicated that the bulk of its future revenues are likely to come from orbital data centers that will provide the backbone of computing for artificial intelligence on Earth. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 20 Oct. 2026 Before PCs arrived on the scene, women were the backbone of office infrastructure. — Steve Liesman, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
  1. spine
  2. courage
  3. fortitude
  4. fiber
  5. stamina
  6. grit
  7. guts
  8. bravery
Noun
  • The diagnosis was stage 4 breast cancer that had spread to her thoracic spine.
    — Hannah Kliger, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • In 1995, however, Reeve, a competitive equestrian, had a devastating accident, breaking his spine while riding, and becoming paralyzed for the rest of his life.
    — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of spine
Noun
  • Independence gave us the courage to cross the last threshold.
    — Amelia Rose Barlow, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Michael Haneke’s adaptation of The Piano Teacher gives me courage.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of courage
Noun
  • But more importantly — and what comes with age — is having the fortitude not to follow them.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
  • That mental fortitude stood out to Green during a minor-league game in which Voit started 0-for-4 with three strikeouts.
    — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of fortitude
Noun
  • The interior is finished in wood fiber panels, with laminate flooring.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Their axons, the long cable-like fibers that transmit electrical and chemical signals between cells, are shorter.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of fiber
Noun
  • That left Daniela Avanzini, Lara Raj, Megan Skiendiel and Yoonchae Jeung to carry a 19-song show that demanded extraordinary stamina, with relentless choreography executed in everything from chunky platform boots to precarious-looking silver heels.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Under that gorgeous screen, the watch is packed with 32GB of storage, tons of sports modes to track your activities, and a myriad of other metrics, including overall stamina, sleep, VO2 max, recovery insights, and even wrist power.
    — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of stamina
Noun
  • Cornbread, barbecue chicken, grits and seasonal market vegetables now showcase Brock’s inventive, soulful cooking — and have brought diners back to the restaurant.
    — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The art of assemblage, a cobbling together of things with glue, glitter, and grit, became a way of life.
    — Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of grit
Noun
  • Finally, the guts are removed and filets are cut, skin optional.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • For their version, which follows a young teen boy (Bean Reid’s Sam) who works to find his missing brother in a town haunted by an evil crop curse, the answer was pumpkin guts.
    — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of guts
Noun
  • But a rally outside Wednesday's meet — where the boy finished second among a field of 25 to help lead Camas to the girls district championship — showed that the adults are catching up in the bravery department.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • As possibly the most thrilling option in the entire park, the free-fall station tests visitors’ bravery.
    — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of bravery

Browse Nearby Words

backbiting
backbone
backboned
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Cite this Entry

“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on backbone

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about backbone

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