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
Marshall had been the backbone of that breakthrough, the sturdy foundation on which it had been built.
—
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Businesses like mine are the backbone of Main Streets in every city, in every state across the country.
—Dominick Davis, Baltimore Sun, 22 Feb. 2025
The team perspective: As is the case with Williams, if McKenzie can prove reliable, the rotation could return to its customary role as the team’s backbone.
—Zack Meisel, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
For roughly a decade, Bruce Bochy counted on Buster Posey as the backbone of the San Francisco Giants on the field.
—Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2025
Businesses like mine are the backbone of Main Streets in every city, in every state across the country.
—Dominick Davis, Baltimore Sun, 22 Feb. 2025
The team perspective: As is the case with Williams, if McKenzie can prove reliable, the rotation could return to its customary role as the team’s backbone.
—Zack Meisel, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
For roughly a decade, Bruce Bochy counted on Buster Posey as the backbone of the San Francisco Giants on the field.
—Justice Delos Santos, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
Noun
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However, the thick bones of this particular man’s skull and spine likely protected his brain from completely burning, the researchers say.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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Side Plank The side plank loads half of your spine and challenges your obliques, the muscles on the sides of your torso.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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While initially working in a hair salon in his hometown of Houston, Guerrero worked up the courage to move to L.A. to pursue his dreams.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2025
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That all-important contrast is missing (as are any employees who do the manual labor of cleaning up after the guests), which is why the show feels like a deflated satire that never had the courage of its convictions to begin with.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Faithfully adapted into an excellent Hulu limited series, the panoramic tale hewed closely to the details of Hunter’s own improbable family history, highlighting instances of fortitude, resourcefulness and luck.—
Julia M. Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2025
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However, baseball players are creatures of habit, and baseball is the sport that will test your mental fortitude more than any other.—
Tyler Small,
Forbes,
23 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Adding fruit on the side or mixing it into your cereal boosts fiber content even more. 4.—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
26 Feb. 2025
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According to a report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Fashion for Good, these materials could constitute 8% of the total fiber market by 2030, equivalent to approximately 13 million tons.—
Nell Derick Debevoise,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Theory one: After producing nine Bond films over 30 years, starting with GoldenEye in 1995, Broccoli no longer has the stomach or stamina for another years-long Bond production marathon.—
Benjamin Svetkey and Julian Sancton,
The Hollywood Reporter,
26 Feb. 2025
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The terms refer to any exercise that enhances a muscle's overall strength or stamina.—
Katrina Carter,
Verywell Health,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The 49ers felt all three had the requisite grit to play inside at nickel cornerback as well as on the outside in a traditional role.—
Matt Barrows,
The Athletic,
19 Feb. 2025
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But the rebellious grit, augmented by the game’s mature themes, does more than amplify an energetic liberalism during this 1995 period of revelation.—
Harold Goldberg,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The production encapsulated his bravery, wit and charm.—
Joshua Barone,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2025
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Gryffindor stands for bravery, courage and chivalry; Hufflepuff is known for loyalty, kindness and hard work; Ravenclaw values wisdom, wit and a love of learning; Slytherin represents ambition, resourcefulness and determination.—
Kelsey Lentz,
People.com,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Newsweek has reached out to legal experts to analyze whether Trump's executive order truly contradicts the 14th Amendment and, if so, to clarify the legal reasoning behind such a determination.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
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That's fine; the letter's arrival is not a final determination.—
Jeff Weiner,
Axios,
21 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to backbone
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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