backbone

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He believes he has nothing to hide and, with the prime minister's premiership teetering, he needs to quickly minimise doubts among potential supporters on the backbenches.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

Rayner, who was seen as a bridge between government and the backbenches, was both deputy Labour leader and deputy prime minister.

From BBC • Sep. 8, 2025

So, "behave - or else", is the message to the rest of the backbenches, just when they are about to leave Westminster.

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2025

After gathering evidence about MPs' behaviour, those four were then shown the door, at least for now, to exert discipline over the backbenches.

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2025

He continued the role under Sunak but returned to the backbenches when Kemi Badenoch took over as Conservative leader.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2025