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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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.
—
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 
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
-
Salads Salads don’t have to feel flimsy or unsubstantial.—
Katie Workman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Sep. 2023
-
From a personal finance perspective, people with extra cash should feel free to put an unsubstantial portion of their wealth into high-risk, high-volatility assets like crypto or meme stocks or even Super Bowl bets (thanks for the two-touchdown performance, Cooper Kupp).—
Scott Nover,
Quartz,
14 Feb. 2022
Adjective
-
The charity provides holistic support, focusing on the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the children and their families, Kensington Palace said.—
Rosa Rahimi,
CNN,
30 Jan. 2025
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The shrinking ranks of American donors matters because philanthropy plays a prominent role in fulfilling Americans’ spiritual, intellectual and material needs and aspirations for people of all backgrounds.—
Una Osili,
The Conversation,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The paper input tray and cartridge access door don’t feel flimsy or especially fragile, and the outer cabinet yields a satisfactory thunk sound when tapped with extra force.—
David English,
PCMAG,
20 Jan. 2025
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The other thing to note is that the plastic paddle felt a tad flimsy.—
Alaina Chou,
Bon Appétit,
10 Jan. 2025
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.—
Randy L. Friedman,
The Conversation,
16 Feb. 2024
-
The digital files are incorporeal.—
BostonGlobe.com,
BostonGlobe.com,
9 June 2021
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.—
Manohla Dargis,
New York Times,
7 May 2020
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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.—
Sarah Khan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2020
Adjective
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But tension quickly develops between Elizabeth and this perky new creation (Margaret Qualley), sparking a metaphysical battle that takes a toll on both of them.—
Scott Tobias,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
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Carlson’s images combust with metaphysical abundance.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
ARTnews.com,
6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile Paltrow wore a frothy sheer gown by Valentino Alessandro Michele from Valentino’s spring and Apple Martin’s brother Moses wore a Valentino suit.—
Marissa Muller,
WWD,
19 Jan. 2025
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Outside of the frothy boom-and-bust business of building small offshore oilfield support vessels, American shipbuilding has long been a sleepy, low-margin affair, driven only by a handful of Jones Act cargo ships certified to carry U.S. cargos from one U.S. port to another.—
Craig Hooper,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Michigan’s situation was particularly fragile given Harbaugh’s long-running flirtations with the NFL, so perhaps Ohio State will have more time to bask in the championship afterglow.—
Austin Meek,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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Nashville, in taking control of the game against the fragile Sharks, scored twice in 53 seconds midway through the second period and added three more goals in the first 8:09 of the third.—
Curtis Pashelka,
The Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near insubstantial
Cite this Entry
“Insubstantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insubstantial. Accessed 4 Feb. 2025.
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