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
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Recent Examples of backbone
Anthony Wayne, President of Black Broadway Men said in a statement that since joining the Board of Black Broadway Men United Inc. back in 2021 as Vice President, Kearney was the integral backbone of the foundation and brought his legal and structural expertise to the forefront.
—
Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
The three have been the backbone of the team for the last three seasons.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025
This simple principle is the backbone of all healthy relationships.
—Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Such alliances have been the backbone of U.S. foreign policy and have distinguished the U.S. from other past global superpowers.
—Matthew Clary, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
The three have been the backbone of the team for the last three seasons.
—Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2025
This simple principle is the backbone of all healthy relationships.
—Lieke Ten Brummelhuis, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Such alliances have been the backbone of U.S. foreign policy and have distinguished the U.S. from other past global superpowers.
—Matthew Clary, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
Noun
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For example,side sleepers tested pillows advertised as supportive to keep the neck and spine aligned, hot sleepers tested cooling pillows, and plush-preferring sleepers tried pillows made of materials like latex or down.—
Megan Wahn,
Architectural Digest,
20 Mar. 2025
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According to the space agency, visitors to space are at higher risk for loss of bone density and strength in the hip and spine because of the lack of gravity.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, is all about new beginnings, courage and fresh starts.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
22 Mar. 2025
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Zegler’s Snow White is a princess who not only finds true love but also the courage to be the type of leader that her late father taught her to be.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That memory still burns, creating just the right balance of fortitude and redemption.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Mar. 2025
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Cheaper laughs run rampant, invoking and evacuating seriousness in one limp gesture, smothering any thought or feeling at risk of requiring fortitude.—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
The New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The rule of thumb for eating more fiber is to go slow, make one change at a time and drink plenty of fluids.—
Hannah Yasharoff,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
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Specifically, long single-ply fibers are ideal over lots of shorter fibers woven together.—
Nena Farrell,
WIRED,
21 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Rather than signaling academic stamina alone, these meaningful experiences illustrate maturity, purpose, and a student’s potential for significant contributions to college communities.—
Ray Ravaglia,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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The 52-year-old actress has been able to return to her craft, amid her battle with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), now that she’s increased her stamina and is relapse-free.—
Erin Jensen,
USA TODAY,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Sigma Beauty Spa Brush Cleaning Glove $42 AMAZON Rather than lathering your brush by hand, slide on this glove for extra grit with half the effort.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
18 Mar. 2025
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New highlights include Oysters Rockefeller with a miso twist and Drunken Prawns with Cajun spice and puffed grits, a nod to Sam DuVall’s Mississippi roots.—
Chelsea Davis,
Forbes,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Mixed in with small pleasures and petty disputes with her older sister are true feats of survival and bravery.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
22 Mar. 2025
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The show’s bravery in exploring mature topics, like infertility, has also moved parents.—
Leena Tailor,
The Hollywood Reporter,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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His determination led to McIlroy's second career win at the event, silencing doubters.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Mar. 2025
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The city’s Department of Finance was reviewing the OCB determination and did not immediately return a request for comment.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
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