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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flimsy
These tools are thin, flimsy, and built with barbed notches on the side that are used to grabbing hair and break through soap scum or other debris to remove them from your drain.
—
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
Prosecutors also said the evidence suggests the gun wasn't in his hands, but in a flimsy holder under his belt.
—ABC News, 7 May 2026
Replacing flimsy closet shelving, adding adjustable pantry shelves, or installing hooks can turn cluttered spaces into organized ones and improve everyday routines.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 May 2026
The knit material keeps things breathable, while the memory foam insole cushions every step without feeling overly soft or flimsy.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for flimsy
Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
Prosecutors also said the evidence suggests the gun wasn't in his hands, but in a flimsy holder under his belt.
—ABC News, 7 May 2026
Replacing flimsy closet shelving, adding adjustable pantry shelves, or installing hooks can turn cluttered spaces into organized ones and improve everyday routines.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 May 2026
The knit material keeps things breathable, while the memory foam insole cushions every step without feeling overly soft or flimsy.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 5 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for flimsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flimsy
Adjective
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This can alter the amount and types of ACE-inhibiting peptides created during fermentation2—and possibly account for kombucha's unsubstantial effect on blood pressure.—
MD Published,
Verywell Health,
27 Dec. 2025
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Then again … This really does sum up Reeves’s unsubstantial performance as Jonathan Harker, whose new client is definitely up to no good.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The collapse of the government is unlikely to significantly affect Latvia’s foreign policy, as all mainstream parties are some variant of pro-Ukraine and anti-Russia.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
15 May 2026
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This is a true unlikely bedfellows situation, driven almost entirely by Lenya’s concern for his wife and son, who are in their government’s crosshairs.—
Sophie Brookover,
Vulture,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
The wall was as insubstantial as a set on a film studio’s back lot.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Even with her strong work, the film around her always feels, at best, insubstantial, and, at worst, incomplete.—
Chase Hutchinson,
IndieWire,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Proteins, which are made up of sequences of amino acids, are more robust than ancient DNA, a fragile molecule that degrades relatively easily.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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The trouble was that the British economy was fragile—most mortgages in the UK at the time had variable rates, so raising interest rates would devastate British homeowners.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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But a gossamer jacket tossed over a swimsuit on a breezy evening?—
Jennifer Noyes,
Air Mail,
25 Apr. 2026
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The type of memory flashbacks that are shot at knee level, gauzy and out of focus, with a gossamer visual touch to conjure whispering, buried emotions of the past.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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After snapping photos of the bride all dressed up in a long gauzy veil and a white halterdress, the reality star—who wore a white sports bra with a white bathrobe tied around her waist—changed into a polarizing skirt set for the ceremony.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
1 Apr. 2026
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The gauzy texture is made from organic cotton, and the decorative pillow shams have a highly dimensional stitching.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Given the sheer number of stocks offering dividends, identifying the right ones is not always straightforward.—
TipRanks.com Staff,
CNBC,
10 May 2026
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Not to mention, there’s the sheer natural beauty of the Verde River and the red-rock formations the region is known for.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
9 May 2026
Adjective
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Weightless drama brings sheer layers and kinetic textures to the forefront with drama by utilizing delicate trims and soft frill details.—
Kanika Talwar,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
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Nothing, though, is more delicate and dangerous than switching goalies.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flimsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimsy. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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