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
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
Many are Latin American or African immigrants working in the agricultural, tourism or service sectors, backbones of Spain’s booming economy.
—Renata Brito, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
In the economy of tomorrow, community colleges and vocational-technical schools—optimized for true lifelong learning with apprenticeship and mentorship programs—will likely be the backbones of public and private education alike.
—Eric Holcomb, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
Discovered in 1981, the tiny backbones — just a few millimeters long — had not received much attention historically.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2025
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
Many are Latin American or African immigrants working in the agricultural, tourism or service sectors, backbones of Spain’s booming economy.
—Renata Brito, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
In the economy of tomorrow, community colleges and vocational-technical schools—optimized for true lifelong learning with apprenticeship and mentorship programs—will likely be the backbones of public and private education alike.
—Eric Holcomb, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
Discovered in 1981, the tiny backbones — just a few millimeters long — had not received much attention historically.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for backbones
spines
Noun
-
The video is backed by a booming soundtrack, composed by Pascal Wyse, largely using materials found in the desert such as saguaro spines.—
Alina Hartounian,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Norwegian Lundehunds have six fully functional toes, a neck that can bend backward to touch their spines, and ears that can fold shut to keep water out.—
Christopher Edwards,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Backbones.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/backbones. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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