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
The core stage is the backbone of the rocket and includes engines, propellant tanks and avionics, or aviation electronic systems.
—
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Every lesson also has a theme and a story as its backbone.
—Jill Duffy, PC Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
This bottle is a worthy celebration of 20 years of Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey, an homage to Heaven Hill’s dedication to making different styles to support its bourbon backbone, and just a really good whiskey in its own right.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2026
That mentality was on display in Miami’s 2-1 Opening Day win over the Colorado Rockies, a gritty win that featured a stellar start from ace Sandy Alcantara, timely hitting and strong defense — the backbone of any successful team.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Every lesson also has a theme and a story as its backbone.
—Jill Duffy, PC Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
This bottle is a worthy celebration of 20 years of Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey, an homage to Heaven Hill’s dedication to making different styles to support its bourbon backbone, and just a really good whiskey in its own right.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2026
That mentality was on display in Miami’s 2-1 Opening Day win over the Colorado Rockies, a gritty win that featured a stellar start from ace Sandy Alcantara, timely hitting and strong defense — the backbone of any successful team.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
Noun
-
Fragrances of flesh and fur and spines and rot reach him from a distance to engorge his nose.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Align the spine of the knife parallel with the counter and lower it into the sharpening slot—this should place the edge perfectly in the center of the V slot.—
Jesse Raub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The farmworkers' rights movement has always been powered by courage, by people willing to endure, to speak out, to demand dignity in the face of injustice.—
Luzdelia Caballero,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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But if worthiness is measured by the courage to lead, the humility to listen, the wisdom to hold complexity and the sacred responsibility of walking with people through joy, loss and transformation, then women’s rabbinic leadership has already outgrown the narrow metrics of any centralized system.—
Rabba Sara Hurwitz,
Sun Sentinel,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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His displays of extreme fortitude aren’t limited to the mountains.—
Namir Khaliq,
Big Think,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Neither the governor nor the Colorado Legislature have the political fortitude to genuinely face the problem and develop viable solutions to ease the burden of Colorado’s property taxes.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Whole grains contain more fiber than refined grains, which helps reduce blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol, and maintain a healthy weight.—
Emily Kay Votruba,
EverydayHealth.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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The set is nestled into a leather case with carbon-fiber detailing abound, an ode to some of the designer’s daily drivers.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Kids will learn how to do circus tricks and build stamina along the way.—
Jessie Dax-Setkus,
Oc Register,
22 Mar. 2026
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Even up 4-1 in the final 15 minutes, the Rapids kept pushing past the limits of stamina to find a fifth goal, both in the press and in the buildup.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Then men had the grit, the unfathomable grit, to claw back from a 19-point deficit to win one of the most dramatic games in the history of either team.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
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Lucky Strike is a visceral, emotionally resonant film that reminds us of the grit and ingenuity required to preserve our freedom.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Many grasses evolved to be partly dispersed by herbivorous mammals, the seeds passing through guts with the bulky leafy tissue.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
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Alloway’s debut is a beautiful disaster that even at its weakest points has just enough glamor and guts to justify most genre girlies taking the journey eventually.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The suicidal bravery of the Basij has become iconic in Iranian culture, including that of Basij child soldiers.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
1 Apr. 2026
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That bravery deserves to be honored above all else.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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