as in animals
biology
an animal that has a backbone
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Recent Examples of vertebrates
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
The authors of the new study observe that large marine vertebrates and cephalopods (octopuses and their kin) independently evolved similar adaptations.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 23 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
Perhaps the most intriguing fossils are the ones that potentially represent deuterostomes, the animal group that includes vertebrates, as well as starfish and sea urchins.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
In all vertebrates, the thymus degenerates very rapidly with age.
—Mallory Locklear, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
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
The authors of the new study observe that large marine vertebrates and cephalopods (octopuses and their kin) independently evolved similar adaptations.
—Kate Wong, Scientific American, 23 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
Perhaps the most intriguing fossils are the ones that potentially represent deuterostomes, the animal group that includes vertebrates, as well as starfish and sea urchins.
—Mindy Weisberger, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
In all vertebrates, the thymus degenerates very rapidly with age.
—Mallory Locklear, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for vertebrates
Noun
-
Another provision allows pharmacists to provide ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug often prescribed for animals, over-the-counter for adults without a prescription.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Mosaic tiles will be added to the animals depicted in and along the river, according to the proposal.—
Jennifer Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Carter offers a few pointers on seeing these majestic creatures on land.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
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Men, society tells us ad nauseam, are simple creatures.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The critters are chomping at the bit.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
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Everywhere The ants are guaranteed to go marching into your home this spring; these critters are the most active spring pests.—
Charlotte Maracina,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Interdiction of humans, that is, not quadrupeds.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Mar. 2026
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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
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Abby’s Magical Beasties, where one of the beasties goes missing, and Abby must problem-solve.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
3 Nov. 2025
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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 2 May. 2026.
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