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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flimsy
Unfortunately, these strengths are working in service of a story too flimsy to support them, an unsatisfying combination of threadbare tropes, predictable twists and a wafer-thin character study.
—
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
The clock is running out on the government's flimsy attempts to avoid a reckoning for its blatant violations of students' First Amendment rights.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Why tear down an entire building, if only its flimsy interior components need to be replaced?
—New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2025
Despite assurances from Wall Street banks and TV pundits, the argument for leaning heavily on stocks is a lot flimsier today than before the liftoff, and the appeal of bonds much greater.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flimsy
Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025
The clock is running out on the government's flimsy attempts to avoid a reckoning for its blatant violations of students' First Amendment rights.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Why tear down an entire building, if only its flimsy interior components need to be replaced?
—New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2025
Despite assurances from Wall Street banks and TV pundits, the argument for leaning heavily on stocks is a lot flimsier today than before the liftoff, and the appeal of bonds much greater.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flimsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flimsy
Adjective
-
Yet for all its craft, the film remains airy and unsubstantial, never quite rising to the full potential of its premise.—
Leila Latif,
IndieWire,
31 Aug. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
When an amateur true crime investigator arrives with the intention of tracking down the town's serial killer, the unlikely pair strike a truce to avoid being caught – and might just find a love story in their own madness.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Japanese women are unlikely to buy a shirt that shows a lot of cleavage.—
Lauren Collins,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
The institutions of the new democracy were fragile, and the military still wielded enough influence to block meaningful accountability.—
Julia Vargas Jones,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The gown has since become too fragile to showcase and doesn’t leave the museum.—
Ariana Quihuiz,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Brooklinen’s Airweave cotton quilt, made of 100% Turkish cotton, has a gauzy exterior wrapped around a cotton candy cloud body.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
18 Aug. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
The strapless corset gown had a sheer illusion jacket embellished with pearls, and was paired with a cathedral veil.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Clad in a chain-mail dress with sheer stripes and waist-length hair, Wilson's appearance during the Chris Habana show was greeted with raucous applause.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
At breakfast, expect Okinawan-style waffles with sweet red beans, Vietnamese pho, and delicate local tofu.—
Kaila Yu,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
-
The rising sun turned the snow a delicate pink, and beads of frost glittered like diamonds on the trees.—
Jack Atcheson Sr. as told to Michael Hanback,
Outdoor Life,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flimsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimsy. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share