as in animals
biology
an animal that has a backbone
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Recent Examples of vertebrates
The findings also suggest that herbivory evolved independently in several different groups of early land vertebrates, not just in the ancestors of modern reptiles.
—
Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
The fruit fly research by Freeman’s team indicates the next steps in research in vertebrates; in the same Science issue the group reported that norepinephrine changes how astrocytes respond to input from neurons.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
Suddenly, most of the major groups of animals alive today — including vertebrates which would eventually include humans — evolved and started populating the world's oceans.
—CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Ethanol is a potential toxin for all vertebrates, including bats and humans.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2025
Evergreen ground covers also shelter overwintering pollinators and provide year-round habit for ground-dwelling insects and vertebrates.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025
But birds, like all vertebrates, can’t synthesize carotenoid pigments on their own.
—David Toews, The Conversation, 11 Dec. 2025
Estimated to exceed 120 feet in length and weigh around 69 tons, this colossal saurpod offered new insight into the size limits of terrestrial vertebrates.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
Birds, the warm-blooded and feathered vertebrates, are being used to put romantic partners to the test.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
Lily Hautau, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
The fruit fly research by Freeman’s team indicates the next steps in research in vertebrates; in the same Science issue the group reported that norepinephrine changes how astrocytes respond to input from neurons.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
Suddenly, most of the major groups of animals alive today — including vertebrates which would eventually include humans — evolved and started populating the world's oceans.
—CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Ethanol is a potential toxin for all vertebrates, including bats and humans.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2025
Evergreen ground covers also shelter overwintering pollinators and provide year-round habit for ground-dwelling insects and vertebrates.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025
But birds, like all vertebrates, can’t synthesize carotenoid pigments on their own.
—David Toews, The Conversation, 11 Dec. 2025
Estimated to exceed 120 feet in length and weigh around 69 tons, this colossal saurpod offered new insight into the size limits of terrestrial vertebrates.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Nov. 2025
Birds, the warm-blooded and feathered vertebrates, are being used to put romantic partners to the test.
—Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 11 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vertebrates
Noun
-
The park offers one of the most exciting wildlife experiences in Southern Africa, with a million acres of biodiverse savannas, wetlands, and montane rainforests, and a range of animals that includes buffalo herds, lion prides, and an array of birds.—
Lisa Grainger,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Since the turn of this century, studies have shown that short periods of radical calorie restriction has outsize benefits for animals.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Our status as creatures of God confers on us certain rights that can’t be handed over as part of the social contract, rights that are at once natural and inalienable.—
Christopher Beha,
New Yorker,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Take a walk along one to spot the creatures that rely on it, and dip your feet in on a hot day to feel what heaven feels like.—
Becky Bartkowski,
AZCentral.com,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And there are plenty more infant critters in these Wildlife Photographer of the Year images, including a possum, a crab, kestrels and bear cubs galore.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Only a handful of other critters share the same history, and most were rescues that could not be returned to their natural habitat.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Prices typically range from about $5,000 for quadrupeds to $20,000 for humanoids.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The Skild Brain is omni-bodied, capable of operating across multiple robot morphologies, including humanoids, quadrupeds, mobile manipulators, and tabletop arms.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Jan. 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 16 Feb. 2026.
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