1
as in unsubstantial
being of a material lacking in sturdiness or substance
an insubstantial carton that could not possibly stand up during long-distance shipping
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spiritual
not composed of matter
energy is insubstantial
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insubstantial
The Mad Max cameo in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is so brief and seemingly insubstantial that it can barely be considered a cameo.
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Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 May 2024
But while the crimes may feel insubstantial, the stakes for American democracy are far weightier.
—Tessa Berenson Rogers, TIME, 30 May 2024
And Dalla Porta can’t build a flesh-and-blood character out of a woman who seems as billowy and insubstantial as the movie that bears her name.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 May 2024
By emphasizing the details of her characters’ work, Waldman endows what might seem insubstantial in other hands with depth and shadow.
—Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for insubstantial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insubstantial
Adjective
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The algorithm fed the Giants pitcher a savory yet unsubstantial diet of short-form content.—
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Salads Salads don’t have to feel flimsy or unsubstantial.—
Adjective
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Sedona, Arizona, topped a study of the world's most mindful travel destinations for its energy vortexes, red rock formations, and strong spiritual community.—
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After Mercury direct re-enters Aries on April 16, the messenger planet will join forces with Neptune — for the first time in this lifetime — heightening our intuition while triggering spiritual breakthroughs.—
Adjective
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This kind of bomb is, in a sense, the very opposite of a flimsy thermobaric bomb.—
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The foam cups, which are not flimsy or removable like the ones in bathing suits, provide flexible support that looks good under dresses, shirts, and sweaters, according to shoppers.—
Adjective
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If reason teaches that God is incorporeal, this means that God has no body; God does not physically see, nor do people see God.—
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The digital files are incorporeal.—
Adjective
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No matter how far-fetched the premise or gossamer-thin the story, the musical invites (compels) us to go along with its essential surrealism, to travel to that dream space where everyday life suddenly moves and sounds deliriously out of this world.—
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For her label Anissa Aida, designer Anissa Meddeb, who lives in the capital, makes gossamer silk blouses evoking the striped motif of handwoven fouta towels and voluminous coats inspired by the burnoose cloaks worn by Berbers.—
Adjective
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To the north is Vulcan’s Forge, Russell’s custom jewelry operation; to the south is Aquarius, a new-age metaphysical store owned by Barbara.—
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Magic Market Step into a world of magic and wonder at the Magic Market, where 75 vendors await with everything from mystical, metaphysical products and tarot readings to vintage treasures, witchy supplies, and plants.—
Adjective
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Perhaps to match the bottle’s packaging, Brown wore a frothy pink blouse, bubble bath pink nails, and pastel pink hair.—
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This is light frothy entertainment with an unassailable Irish literary pedigree.—
Adjective
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Newborn caterpillars are too fragile to endure the sort of violent conflicts observed in other territorial animals, from ants to elephants, which can be deadly.—
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For those with fragile hair, Philip Kingsley’s fortifying shampoo aims to give the appearance of thicker, stronger strands.—
Cite this Entry
“Insubstantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insubstantial. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
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