as in backbones
a column of bones supporting the trunk of a vertebrate animal
he hurt his spine in the accident, but the doctor says he'll be walking again in no time
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of spines
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
The technology is engineered to keep customers' spines aligned.
—Charlotte Maracina, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
Most animal defenses, such as camouflage or spines, work broadly against many predator types.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
This includes shrimp shells, crab shells, eggshells, chicken bones, and fish spines.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
Bookcases and books Take everything off the shelves, then dampen a clean, microfiber towel in warm water and wring out to wipe the shelves and spines and tops of books.
—Sunshine Flint, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
Fragrances of flesh and fur and spines and rot reach him from a distance to engorge his nose.
—María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
The lion’s mane mushroom grows in clumps of smooth white spines that dangle from a central base—a feature that has inspired several of its common names.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Mar. 2026
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
The technology is engineered to keep customers' spines aligned.
—Charlotte Maracina, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026
Most animal defenses, such as camouflage or spines, work broadly against many predator types.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2026
This includes shrimp shells, crab shells, eggshells, chicken bones, and fish spines.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
Bookcases and books Take everything off the shelves, then dampen a clean, microfiber towel in warm water and wring out to wipe the shelves and spines and tops of books.
—Sunshine Flint, Architectural Digest, 2 Apr. 2026
Fragrances of flesh and fur and spines and rot reach him from a distance to engorge his nose.
—María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
The lion’s mane mushroom grows in clumps of smooth white spines that dangle from a central base—a feature that has inspired several of its common names.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spines
Noun
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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
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There's also a perception that squishy invertebrates — creatures without backbones — weren't formidable enough to join the ranks of top predators.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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With their backs against the wall, the Knicks showed the Hawks there are levels to playoff basketball.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
26 Apr. 2026
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He is built like a running back and bodies defensive backs after the catch.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spines. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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