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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spiritual
not composed of matter
energy is insubstantial
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
With Marxism tainted by its aggressive materialism, and mere democratic socialism so mere, anarchism could be imagined as a series of defiant spiritual acts.—
Adam Gopnik,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
-
Cambodia’s Art Come Home: Foreign institutions and collectors are returning artifacts with deep spiritual meaning.—
Hannah Beech,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Teams are shooting well from 3 against the Knicks, and the pick-and-roll defense has been flimsy.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Unlike some stackable styles, these aren’t made with flimsy plastic that cracks easily.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Given the baroque language of the text, not to mention the metaphysical events within the narrative itself, Dieter’s exact exploits remain open for interpretation.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
7 Feb. 2025
-
As in Dante, the metaphysical landscape is taken seriously and is carefully documented, as if the reader might someday go there and need to know the rules.—
Elisa Gonzalez,
The New Yorker,
3 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Heading into Sunday’s season opener, The White Lotus on Max saw an 84% increase in volume compared to the week leading up to its sophomore premiere, as viewers caught up on the dark, frothy drama.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
18 Feb. 2025
-
When the egg whites look like a frothy bath (just before soft peaks), about 1 minute, spoon in the sugar, one heaping teaspoon at a time, while the mixer is running.—
Martin Sorge,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This refusal could lead to a crisis with both Hamas and Egypt, the key mediator, at a delicate time for the already fragile truce.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Glassware without a microwave-safe label should not be used, including non-tempered glass, antique or fragile glassware, or glass with metallic trims or decorations.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insubstantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insubstantial. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share