as in animals
biology
an animal that has a backbone
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of vertebrates
They are thought to be one of the first vertebrates that made a partial transition from an aquatic to a terrestrial lifestyle.
—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
23 June 2026
Even more frightening, the percentage exceeded 50% in many groups, including insects, terrestrial vertebrates, and marine species.
—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
21 June 2026
If researchers want to understand what the earliest jawed vertebrates may have looked like developmentally?
—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
During the Early Devonian Period, life on land was still relatively new, and many of the ancestors of modern vertebrates had yet to emerge from the water.
—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
10 June 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
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
23 June 2026
Even more frightening, the percentage exceeded 50% in many groups, including insects, terrestrial vertebrates, and marine species.
—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
21 June 2026
If researchers want to understand what the earliest jawed vertebrates may have looked like developmentally?
—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
During the Early Devonian Period, life on land was still relatively new, and many of the ancestors of modern vertebrates had yet to emerge from the water.
—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
10 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vertebrates
Noun
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The sheriff said animal control officers are visiting the property three days a week and have found that the remaining dogs, as well as other animals, including cats and birds, appear to be receiving proper care.
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Investigators preliminarily determined many of the animals died from gunshot wounds, and the shelter has initiated legal action to recover remaining dogs.
Noun
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Wynonna, with help from her younger sister, the town’s sheriff and an infamous Wild West gunslinger, must save her hometown from demons and other supernatural creatures.
-
Earth-friendly, conscientious gardeners learn to slow down and pay attention — not only to plants but to the many creatures that share the garden.
Noun
-
Be sure to use lidded containers for trash and animal feed, and find other ways to attract birds while keeping other critters away.
-
Backyard additions like parking pads, compost piles, and chickens need thoughtful planning to prevent critters, flooding, or property disputes.
Noun
-
Other applications might include robotics, such as adaptive robotic quadrupeds.
-
Interdiction of humans, that is, not quadrupeds.
Noun
-
There be beasties beyond US Route 93, bigger than my vision could handle.
-
My bathtub seems to be a place these cute beasties like to hang out.
Cite this Entry
“Vertebrates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/vertebrates. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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