as in animals
biology
an animal that has a backbone
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of vertebrates
There is no centralized nasal airway to clear, and no evidence of a sneeze reflex comparable to that seen in vertebrates.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
In his lab, which studies the exchange of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide between vertebrates and their environments, Damsgaard’s team used microsensors to measure oxygen levels in the retinas of zebra finches, pigeons, and chickens.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 13 May 2026
The sharks’ resilience to aging could help scientists better understand longevity in vertebrates, including humans.
—Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
Rewriting the Story of Ancient Cretaceous Oceans For decades, the narrative of prehistoric oceans has centered on massive vertebrates as the dominant predators.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
For decades, the paleontological consensus was that this was the age of vertebrates; anything without a backbone was lunch.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
Many vertebrates also form lifelong bonds.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
According to the Nature study, the Captorhinus fossils help scientists more accurately place this evolutionary milestone in the timeline of terrestrial vertebrates — nearly 290 million years ago.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Likely caused by volcanic eruptions in present-day Siberia, the End-Permian cataclysm eventually wiped out around 57 percent of all biological life, including 70 percent of terrestrial vertebrates.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
In his lab, which studies the exchange of gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide between vertebrates and their environments, Damsgaard’s team used microsensors to measure oxygen levels in the retinas of zebra finches, pigeons, and chickens.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 13 May 2026
The sharks’ resilience to aging could help scientists better understand longevity in vertebrates, including humans.
—Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
Rewriting the Story of Ancient Cretaceous Oceans For decades, the narrative of prehistoric oceans has centered on massive vertebrates as the dominant predators.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026
For decades, the paleontological consensus was that this was the age of vertebrates; anything without a backbone was lunch.
—Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
Many vertebrates also form lifelong bonds.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
According to the Nature study, the Captorhinus fossils help scientists more accurately place this evolutionary milestone in the timeline of terrestrial vertebrates — nearly 290 million years ago.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2026
Likely caused by volcanic eruptions in present-day Siberia, the End-Permian cataclysm eventually wiped out around 57 percent of all biological life, including 70 percent of terrestrial vertebrates.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vertebrates
Noun
-
Plus, pet owners like myself will appreciate not having to worry about our animals being around pesticides.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
20 May 2026
-
As previously noted, one of the gifts of Russian greats that Saunders most celebrates is their way of locating complex truths in the stuff of ordinary lives—their towns and farms, and their families, their servants; their animals.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
For all of these creatures, the coast’s patchwork of barrier islands, beaches, sandbars, salt marshes, tidal creeks and estuaries are vitally important for survival.—
Charles Seabrook,
AJC.com,
16 May 2026
-
The slick creatures, with their blunt heads and whiskers, are sometimes easy to spot in the water, but the restaurants that have perfected eating them are a bit harder to find.—
Chelsea Brasted,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Thatch roofing alone has declined in popularity in the region because of these critters.—
Stefan Ionescu
May 20,
New Atlas,
20 May 2026
-
The action is smooth, with the Switch 2 not hiccupping when juggling dozens of small critters.—
Will Greenwald,
PC Magazine,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
Interdiction of humans, that is, not quadrupeds.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Mar. 2026
-
These mechanical quadrupeds, made by the likes of Boston Dynamics and Ghost Robotics, can patrol premises, scanning the perimeter for intruders, spies, and other ne’er-do-wells, and sound the alarm when holes in fences or other suspicious things are detected.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Abby’s Magical Beasties, where one of the beasties goes missing, and Abby must problem-solve.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
3 Nov. 2025
-
In a horrific twist, Kasumi (Kana Hanazawa) wakes up way too early — and thus has to battle the ferocious beasties to survive.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Vertebrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vertebrates. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
