insubstantial
adjective
in·sub·stan·tial
ˌin(t)-səb-ˈstan(t)-shəl 
: not substantial: such as
a
: lacking substance or material nature
b
: lacking firmness or solidity : flimsy
Synonyms
Examples of insubstantial in a Sentence
Their contribution to the fund was insubstantial.
as insubstantial as a ghost
Recent Examples on the Web
Not insubstantial, but easily affordable for Tepper, who’s worth roughly $20 billion.
—
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 2024
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
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
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 2024
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
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
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.
Dictionary Entries Near insubstantial
Cite this Entry
“Insubstantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insubstantial. Accessed 20 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insubstantial
adjective
in·sub·stan·tial
ˌin(t)-səb-ˈstan-chəl
: not substantial: as
a
: not real : imaginary
insubstantial differences
b
: not firm or solid
a flimsy insubstantial shelf
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