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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This could be a powerful time of emotional release or perhaps discovering something that shifts your perspective — maybe even a spiritual awakening.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
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At his former school, officials said extra counselors would be available to offer one-on-one counseling, spiritual guidance, prayer space, grief workshops and other healing exercises.—
Harry Harris,
The Mercury News,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But this Dumbo is as flimsy and devoid of emotion as a circus act, relying too heavily on the CGI elephant to generate any real flights of fantasy.—
Staff Author,
EW.com,
22 Mar. 2025
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Some are cheap, flimsy and ugly, while others are expensive, sturdy and elegant.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Mar. 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
-
Beckett reminds us of the metaphysical vastness that the stage can contain.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Mar. 2025
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Beelzebub, however, is nothing but evil incarnate, first appearing as a sort of metaphysical pollution—a writhing black oil-like glob suspended in midair.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The main draw is the long expanses of soft, white-gold beaches and frothy Atlantic waters.—
Kathleen Peddicord,
Forbes,
14 Mar. 2025
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Chiffons, tulles, sheer organza, and frothy, cascading silks aren’t afraid to take up space.—
Cortne Bonilla,
Vogue,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Efficiency at what cost? Read: The rise of techno-authoritarianism Careless People illustrates how this ideological vacuum is filled by its leaders’ fleeting whims and governed by their fragile egos.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
22 Mar. 2025
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What unfolds is a two-person dialogue on the subject of fragile masculinity.—
Doreen St. Félix,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insubstantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insubstantial. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.
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