Thesaurus results for SPINES

spines

noun

plural of spine

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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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 spines But the story went on scaring people for many years afterward, and is probably still sending chills down more than a few spines today. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 As appointed by production designer Valeria De Felice, the workspace is a literary dreamscape, lined with Persian rugs and bookcases displaying a rainbow of magazine spines. — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026 Yellow starthistle plants are gray-green and produce yellow, thistle-like flowers with stiff, long spines in late June and July. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026 Also known as hedge apple, people loved its adaptability and tough-as-nails character, but the spines and grapefruit-sized fruit were not usually welcomed in home landscapes. — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2026 The fruits are enjoyed by birds, and deer tend to avoid this shrub, most likely due to the sharp spines. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 6 Sep. 2026 The Food and Drug Administration has again paused trials for Regenxbio’s gene therapy for a rare childhood brain disorder, after small masses were found on the spines of five patients, the company said Monday. — Jason Mast, STAT, 24 Aug. 2026 Four patients getting routine joint replacement surgeries at a hospital in Nashville allegedly had the wrong drug injected into their spines, leaving at least one woman paralyzed, according to her family. — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2026 The spines only penetrate the ice as the suspension compresses, generating grip and protecting them from high-impact forces. — Tim Hornyak, IEEE Spectrum, 18 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for spines

Noun

The structural backbones of the phalanges are 3D-printed from PLA, while soft silicone interfaces provide friction and compliance when the fingers contact a branch.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
More specifically, insects are invertebrates (animals without backbones) and are part of the arthropod phylum, which also includes spiders, crabs, and centipedes.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of backbones

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spinelessness

spines

spinner

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“Spines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spines. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of spines

noun

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