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
But in the end, a great experience can cover for a flimsy narrative, especially in theme parks.
—
Robert Niles, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
The fabric is lightweight and comfortable without appearing flimsy, and the wide-leg pants move beautifully while walking (and look great with a bandeau, FYI).
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2026
The Golden Knights have used the flimsy pretext of still being alive in the playoffs to deny other teams –– especially division rivals like the Kings and Edmonton Oilers –– permission to speak to Cassidy about vacancies.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 25 May 2026
Meanwhile, photographs of crew members while still on the ship show many of them hanging around together in a hallway while waiting to be interviewed by health authorities, covering their mouths and noses with only flimsy masks.
—Zeynep Tufekci, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for flimsy
Robert Niles, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
The fabric is lightweight and comfortable without appearing flimsy, and the wide-leg pants move beautifully while walking (and look great with a bandeau, FYI).
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 25 May 2026
The Golden Knights have used the flimsy pretext of still being alive in the playoffs to deny other teams –– especially division rivals like the Kings and Edmonton Oilers –– permission to speak to Cassidy about vacancies.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 25 May 2026
Meanwhile, photographs of crew members while still on the ship show many of them hanging around together in a hallway while waiting to be interviewed by health authorities, covering their mouths and noses with only flimsy masks.
—Zeynep Tufekci, Mercury News, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for flimsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flimsy
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Getting warships into the water is hard enough without wasting funds on vessels unlikely ever to sail.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
-
Like any great artist, Grohl is a product of her surroundings, and that can’t help but include a very specific, unlikely upbringing.—
Rachel Brodsky,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
But too few of those ideas yield satisfying conclusions, resulting in a drama that becomes treacly and insubstantial, reaching for a profundity that remains elusive.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
-
The wall was as insubstantial as a set on a film studio’s back lot.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Despite these measures, the rupee remains fragile.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
Glory to God, a facility that provides physical therapy, behavioral therapy, and schooling for medically fragile children, is among those affected.—
Morgan Rynor,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
But a gossamer jacket tossed over a swimsuit on a breezy evening?—
Jennifer Noyes,
Air Mail,
25 Apr. 2026
-
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
-
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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But moving Cale just to stay in that neighborhood would be sheer Looney Tunes.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
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The NikeCourt dress features a black, lightweight semi-sheer dress layered over a crimson tank and is currently sold out.—
Merlisa Lawrence Corbett,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Removing the surrounding rock and exposing delicate anatomical details required years of careful work.—
Sanaa El-Sayed,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
-
Adaptation is always a delicate balance.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flimsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimsy. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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