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
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Salads Salads don’t have to feel flimsy or unsubstantial.—
Katie Workman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Sep. 2023
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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
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In Thailand, where temples, shrines and monasteries abound, the thing that most of our characters lack is spiritual wholeness, with only Piper arriving thinking that Buddhism might hold the answers.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
11 Feb. 2025
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The non-profit helps connect Miami’s homeless population — many of whom are immigrants — with affordable housing, employment and spiritual support.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Teams are shooting well from 3 against the Knicks, and the pick-and-roll defense has been flimsy.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
The Athletic,
14 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, aluminum plans can be flimsy and lack stability.—
BestReviews,
The Mercury News,
13 Feb. 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
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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
-
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
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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
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The structural indigo looks stand out against Saab’s use of frothy and gauzy chiffon and tulle.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Feb. 2025
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In a second small bowl, whisk the egg white until light and slightly frothy, about 30 seconds.—
Derek Brown,
Saveur,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Menzel — who also provided additional contributions to the piece — effortlessly balances the different sides of her character, building something that feels deeply tangible yet fragile and completely unique.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
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However, these works — all written by men — portrayed Veronika as a fragile, submissive woman, passively awaiting her fate.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near insubstantial
Cite this Entry
“Insubstantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insubstantial. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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