invertebral

Adjective

invertebrate (not comparable)

1. Without a backbone: without vertebrae.
   • Tear it up, and put a fragment under the microscope, and, wonder of wonders! see the maze of geometric forms exhibited in the bones of the creature; for who can help regarding the spicules as bones, even though a sponge be invertebrate?1860, Recreative Science, page 110

   Synonyms:

   spineless

   Antonyms:

   vertebrate, vertebrated

2. Cowardly, uncourageous; lacking character.
   • This week Fifa’s morally invertebrate president, Gianni Infantino, gave a speech that attempted to paint his World Cup as a marker of a grand struggle between the bright new world and corrupt old Europe, with Infantino himself the Mandela at its centre.2022 November 21, Barney Ronay, “Iran’s brave and powerful gesture is a small wonder from a World Cup of woe”, in The Guardian

   Synonyms:

   spineless, backboneless, base, soft, bitch-ass, boneless, caitiff, candy-assed, chicken, chicken-hearted

See all 4 meanings of invertebrate