1
as in unsubstantial
being of a material lacking in sturdiness or substance
a flimsy scarf that was more for decoration than for warmth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unlikely
not likely to be true or to occur
"The check is in the mail" is a pretty flimsy and tired excuse
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flimsy
Ready to ditch your flimsy flip-flops for good without the steep Birkenstock price tag?
—
Emily Weaver, People.com, 25 July 2025
The flimsy pretense for the raid was that some NABU officers had been involved in traffic accidents and violations.
—Steve Cortes, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
That’s a flimsy defense and one more log on the fire for Mills.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025
The keys are flimsy and have been reported to break.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flimsy
Emily Weaver, People.com, 25 July 2025
The flimsy pretense for the raid was that some NABU officers had been involved in traffic accidents and violations.
—Steve Cortes, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
That’s a flimsy defense and one more log on the fire for Mills.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2025
The keys are flimsy and have been reported to break.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flimsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flimsy
Adjective
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The hit isn’t unsubstantial: In 2024, textile exports to the United States accounted for 10.7 percent of China’s total textile exports, valued at $14.8 billion, and 22.7 percent of China’s total apparel exports, or $36.1 billion’s worth.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
5 May 2025
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The algorithm fed the Giants pitcher a savory yet unsubstantial diet of short-form content.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Such retirees will not have to file for bankruptcy protection to shield their future practice income, and there is unlikely to be more than a single creditor so as to forestall an involuntary bankruptcy filing.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
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On paper, both appear unlikely filmmaking propositions.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Republican lawmakers and state attorneys general have challenged the basis of those recommendations, arguing that the evidence used to support them is insubstantial.—
Selena Simmons-Duffin,
NPR,
1 Aug. 2025
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Vague green claims won’t cut it anymore, as evidenced by a 2020 study from the European Commission, which found over half of environmental claims were insubstantial, misleading or unfounded.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
2 July 2025
Adjective
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These species play a crucial role in maintaining balance within the fragile ecosystem.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
14 Aug. 2025
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At the same time, Jota’s death has brought certain things into sharp context, about how fragile life — and within that, something like a football career — can be.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
14 Aug. 2025
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
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Kerry Washington Kerry Washington looked chic in a baby pink ensemble that played to our love of textures, pairing a high-neck, lace top with a gauzy skirt embellished with pink pearls over a shiny skirt.—
Erin Jensen,
USA TODAY,
23 Feb. 2025
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There’s a nostalgic maximalism to its designs, which are usually gauzy pastel pinks, blues, and whites; covered in ditsy prints like rosebuds, daisies, and strawberries; and detailed with flourishes like ruffles and bows.—
Malia Griggs,
Glamour,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Founder Samantha Brett emphasizes layering SPF over makeup, with formulas like their Beauty Screen Mineral Tints providing SPF50 protection in a sheer, wearable finish.—
Laia Farran Graves,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
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The look was finished with a silk tulle veil, crystal beaded Manolo Blahnik satin sandals and a pair of sheer elbow gloves.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Speaking to the media is one of the more delicate requirements of the position.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
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While the Great Lakes may seem to offer an endless supply of water, the balance is actually quite delicate.—
Caitlin Looby,
jsonline.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flimsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimsy. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
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