as in spines
a column of bones supporting the trunk of a vertebrate animal
found the backbone of a fish lying on the beach
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Recent Examples of backbones
Look under rocks for macroinvertebrates (animals without backbones, like stoneflies).
—
Carl R. Gold,
Baltimore Sun,
18 June 2026
Data centers also need to be close enough to users and network backbones to provide fast digital services.
—
Sven Bilén,
The Conversation,
16 June 2026
Even when degraded, enzymes have stable backbones that might be capable of catalyzing reactions, said Sudha Rajamani, an astrobiologist at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune who wasn’t involved in the study.
—
Siddhant Pusdekar,
Quanta Magazine,
1 June 2026
As songwriters, the Ottavianos usually only needed a metaphor, a single beautiful image, or a fun double entendre to serve as narrative backbones.
—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
26 Apr. 2026
There's also a perception that squishy invertebrates — creatures without backbones — weren't formidable enough to join the ranks of top predators.
—
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
There's also a perception that squishy invertebrates — creatures without backbones — weren't formidable enough to join the ranks of top predators.
—
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Hundreds of animals with backbones are still being discovered every single year.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
To start the new Mideast war, Donnie acted on his own with no resistance from his sycophants, who have no backbones.
—
Voice Of The People,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
Carl R. Gold,
Baltimore Sun,
18 June 2026
Data centers also need to be close enough to users and network backbones to provide fast digital services.
—
Sven Bilén,
The Conversation,
16 June 2026
Even when degraded, enzymes have stable backbones that might be capable of catalyzing reactions, said Sudha Rajamani, an astrobiologist at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune who wasn’t involved in the study.
—
Siddhant Pusdekar,
Quanta Magazine,
1 June 2026
As songwriters, the Ottavianos usually only needed a metaphor, a single beautiful image, or a fun double entendre to serve as narrative backbones.
—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
26 Apr. 2026
There's also a perception that squishy invertebrates — creatures without backbones — weren't formidable enough to join the ranks of top predators.
—
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
There's also a perception that squishy invertebrates — creatures without backbones — weren't formidable enough to join the ranks of top predators.
—
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
Hundreds of animals with backbones are still being discovered every single year.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
To start the new Mideast war, Donnie acted on his own with no resistance from his sycophants, who have no backbones.
—
Voice Of The People,
New York Daily News,
3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbones
spines
Noun
-
The khaki-to-ochre tint on the Wuthering Heights volumes’ spines is wear.
-
This is sending shivers down the spines of regular Democrats, who now sheepishly admit the party has been turned over to the left-wing loons.
Cite this Entry
“Backbones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbones. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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