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un·sub·stan·tial | \ ˌən-səb-ˈstan(t)-shəl 
\
\Definition of unsubstantial
: not substantial : lacking substance, firmness, or strength
unsubstantial shadows
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Other Words from unsubstantial
unsubstantiality \ ˌən-səb-ˌstan(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē \ noun
\ noununsubstantially \ ˌən-səb-ˈstan(t)-sh(ə-)lē \ adverb
\ adverbSynonyms & Antonyms for unsubstantial
Synonyms
- bodiless,
- ethereal,
- formless,
- immaterial,
- incorporeal,
- insubstantial,
- nonmaterial,
- nonphysical,
- spiritual,
- unbodied
Antonyms
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Examples of unsubstantial in a Sentence
as thin and unsubstantial as the wind
an unsubstantial child who was unfit to play sports of any kind
Recent Examples on the Web Southerners will find an excuse to monogram just about anything, even items as small or unsubstantial as napkins or house slippers.
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Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, "How to Monogram with a Double Name," 24 Jan. 2018 As a result, the benefits of meditation have, in many cases, been overblown thanks to headlines harping on awesome-sounding but unsubstantial studies.
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Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "What Meditation Can—and Can’t—Do for Your Health," 11 Sep. 2018 Fredenberger says that even the language in the agreement is unsubstantial and vague.
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Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, "For 'accidental Americans,' the hidden costs prove taxing," 4 May 2018 Uniqlo’s AIRism briefs were extraordinarily lightweight, but the barely-there style might feel too unsubstantial.
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Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, "The Best Men’s Underwear for Your Budget: We Tested 45 Kinds," 6 Mar. 2018 As unsubstantial as something like a sports championship might seem, people in Cleveland really did seem happier.
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Andrew J. Tobias, cleveland.com, "Do you believe the talk of the Cleveland comeback? Talk it out," 31 Aug. 2017 But if the lyrics are an indulgent sticky spoonful of cherry pie filling, the synthy dance pop underpinning is the aural equivalent of a rice cake: fluffy, unsubstantial and ultimately unsatisfying.
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Jayme Deerwester, USA TODAY, "There's too much artificial sweetener in Katy Perry's 'Bon Appetit'," 28 Apr. 2017
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unsubstantial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Time Traveler for unsubstantial
The first known use of unsubstantial was in the 15th century
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