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
For years, the trucking industry has served as the backbone of the American economy, moving nearly three-quarters of the nation’s freight.
—
William Mullane, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
What research reveals about family business leaders Family businesses are the backbone of the American economy, by some estimates representing about 90% of all U.S. enterprises.
—Cassidy Creech, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2025
Youth apprenticeships are the backbone of the Swiss education system, for example, propelling the small country to global leadership in manufacturing and innovation.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
The path of this business is similar to the launch of Amazon Web Services, which the company built to keep its online marketplace running and loading quickly 24/7 before selling access to the servers as a backbone for other companies’ operations, as noted by CNBC.
—Emma Roth, The Verge, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for backbone 
William Mullane, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
What research reveals about family business leaders Family businesses are the backbone of the American economy, by some estimates representing about 90% of all U.S. enterprises.
—Cassidy Creech, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2025
Youth apprenticeships are the backbone of the Swiss education system, for example, propelling the small country to global leadership in manufacturing and innovation.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
The path of this business is similar to the launch of Amazon Web Services, which the company built to keep its online marketplace running and loading quickly 24/7 before selling access to the servers as a backbone for other companies’ operations, as noted by CNBC.
—Emma Roth, The Verge, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for backbone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbone
Noun
-
Keep your spine straight and rest your hands on your legs.—
Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT,
Verywell Health,
24 Jan. 2025
-
The images capture parts of the original skull, spine and hind limbs before the skeleton was obliterated in the World War II bombing.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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What sets Chappell apart is her courage to be herself in every sense: her honesty, her individuality, and her commitment to creating meaningful music.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
21 Jan. 2025
-
Millions of women benefited from her courage and determination.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Scientists who study resilience in nature say the memory of one trauma helps build fortitude against the next trauma.—
Somini Sengupta,
New York Times,
19 Jan. 2025
-
The overlap of awards season with a fire season has posed a stern test of Hollywood fortitude.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Oatmeal, on the other hand, is loaded with fiber, which promotes gut and heart health.—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
21 Jan. 2025
-
That longer fiber helps make these cotton sheets softer than your standard percale without sacrificing the airflow and structure that makes percale so nice to sleep on.—
Nena Farrell,
WIRED,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Doing it in back-to-back years would require amazing stamina. 7.—
Austin Meek,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
-
Biden dropped out of the 2024 race in July amid concerns over his age and stamina and endorsed Vice President Harris, who lost to Trump in November.—
Alex Gangitano,
The Hill,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The grits are thick and cheesy and come with tasso ham and creole sauce.—
Caitlin Morton,
AFAR Media,
27 Jan. 2025
-
If possible, replace rock salt with salt-free deicers or swap out some of the salt for salt-free grit, such as sand, gravel, sawdust, or kitty litter.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Marks will be given to chart all manner of qualities and characteristics such as ball control, passing, heading, vision, movement, strength, bravery, leadership.—
Philip Buckingham,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
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Working on Lynch’s set required a level of bravery that the shy girl from Chicago had not drawn on before.—
Andy Hazel,
IndieWire,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The exact cause of the fire, which killed 17 people and destroyed more than 9,000 homes and businesses, remains under investigation, and a final determination could take many months.—
Ivan Penn,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2025
-
The Due Process Clauses would govern what procedures must be followed to make these determinations.—
Shane Croucher,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to backbone
Thesaurus Entries Near backbone
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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