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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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
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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
Noun
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The primary considerations in the election of a new Vicar of Christ are concerns such as adherence to the Gospel, commitment to evangelization, and the fortitude to root out corruption in one of the world’s most complex religious institutions.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
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Many people have the fortitude to venture out on their own and do so safely and successfully.—
Harriette Cole,
The Mercury News,
26 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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Metamucil is a fiber supplement that may benefit people who don't get enough fiber in their diets.—
Megan Nunn,
Verywell Health,
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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Perhaps no other artist has better succeeded at capturing Rio’s exuberant blend of maximalism and grit.—
Grace Edquist,
Vogue,
6 Mar. 2025
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If anything, the Rainbow tracks illustrate the youthful grit with which Yes combined their virtuoso tendencies onstage with a certain in-your-face raggedness.—
Ernesto Lechner,
Rolling Stone,
6 Mar. 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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At this point, Athena will fly autonomously through to its landing, utilizing onboard imaging systems and sensors to analyze the terrain below and make navigational determinations.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
6 Mar. 2025
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His determination to forge a path toward justice within a treacherous landscape of political machinations and gang warfare forms the narrative backbone of the show.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
5 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to backbone
Cite this Entry
“Backbone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbone. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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