INVERTEBRATE Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

invertebrate 1 of 2

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈvər-tə-brət

Definition of invertebrate

as in weak

lacking strength of will or character an invertebrate Congress that blithely went along with the President's ill-conceived plan

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invertebrate

2 of 2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of invertebrate

Adjective

There will be hands-on training to conduct water quality testing and macro-invertebrate sampling. — Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2025 Jessica Ware is associate curator of invertebrate zoology at the American Museum of Natural History. — Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2023

Noun

When Jo arrives on the island, however, Nadia is missing, and the jellyfish appears to be much more than a mere invertebrate. — Tessa Yang, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026 Previous Conservation Station elements including the veterinary treatment room, animal nutrition window and the amphibian, reptile and invertebrate windows again will be available. — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for invertebrate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for invertebrate

Adjective

Many African economies are in a much weaker economic position compared to the strong 2015-2016 El Niño, the IIF report said, largely due to higher oil prices, which have driven up transport costs, and a strong US dollar.

— Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Too much nitrogen in the spring creates a weak root system that isn’t able to withstand the heat and drought in summer.

— Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of weak

Noun

Biologists hotly debate whether the significant evolutionary changes that led to jawed vertebrates, from hagfish to humans, are connected by ancient gene duplications hundreds of millions of years ago.

— Carrie Arnold Contributing, Quanta Magazine, 2 Sep. 2026
Although people sometimes use animals informally to mean only vertebrates (animals with backbones) or even just mammals, in biology the term includes insects as well.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of vertebrate

Adjective

Most often, those who do seek medical attention are people who are more susceptible to foodborne illnesses, such as children, older adults, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems.

— Kimberly Baker, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Most people recover within several days, but infections can become serious for young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.

— Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of weakened

Noun

The same process occurs in the radish’s spicier cousins, and the resulting chemicals are thought to help deter herbivores and pests.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026
But Carcache wonders whether the vine might also deter herbivores, offering some protection to its host.

— Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of herbivore

Adjective

And now the nation will probably never get back to normal because a spineless GOP can never admit that it’s been conned.

— Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 22 May 2026
Some of Thomas’s critique appeared to be aimed at weak-willed conservatives, including his fellow-Justices, for being, as Thomas perceives it, too spineless to stand up for the ideals enshrined in the Declaration.

— Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 May 2026

Definition of spineless

Browse Nearby Words

invert

invertebrate

invertebrates

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Style

“Invertebrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/invertebrate. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of invertebrate

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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