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
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2
as in spiritual
not composed of matter
energy is insubstantial
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Examples of insubstantial in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By emphasizing the details of her characters’ work, Waldman endows what might seem insubstantial in other hands with depth and shadow.
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Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2024
Here are 10 squads seemingly relegated to the sidelines during this year’s silly season, their impactful outlooks ranked from insubstantial to those seemingly staring at self-destructive maneuvers going into the 2024 campaign (note: salary cap projections courtesy Over The Cap):
10.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
Given their size, the controllers are surprisingly light, to the point of feeling a bit insubstantial in your hand.
—Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 16 Feb. 2023
How could something so insubstantial have any structural benefit?
—Helen Czerski, WSJ, 30 Nov. 2023
See all Example Sentences for insubstantial 
Katy Waldman, The New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2024
Here are 10 squads seemingly relegated to the sidelines during this year’s silly season, their impactful outlooks ranked from insubstantial to those seemingly staring at self-destructive maneuvers going into the 2024 campaign (note: salary cap projections courtesy Over The Cap):
10.
—Nate Davis, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
Given their size, the controllers are surprisingly light, to the point of feeling a bit insubstantial in your hand.
—Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 16 Feb. 2023
How could something so insubstantial have any structural benefit?
—Helen Czerski, WSJ, 30 Nov. 2023
See all Example Sentences for insubstantial
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insubstantial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Insubstantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insubstantial. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
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