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
Cheaper options or knock-offs tend to come with flimsy sockets, buzzing ballasts, or unreliable switches, which can make rooms look cheap or dated far sooner than expected and even create fire hazards.
—
Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
The age-old value proposition of indie filmmaking — that landing acceptance to a prestigious festival begets a sale to a distributor that pays off your debts and puts your movie in front of a massive audience — is flimsier than ever.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2025
That law banned the flimsy single-use bags at supermarkets and retail stores as a way to reduce litter and ocean pollution.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
Designed for skiers who see the mountain as one big playground, the Unleashed 108 pops, pivots, and slashes with energy—without ever feeling flimsy.
—Marina Knight, Outside, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flimsy
Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
The age-old value proposition of indie filmmaking — that landing acceptance to a prestigious festival begets a sale to a distributor that pays off your debts and puts your movie in front of a massive audience — is flimsier than ever.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 22 Oct. 2025
That law banned the flimsy single-use bags at supermarkets and retail stores as a way to reduce litter and ocean pollution.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2025
Designed for skiers who see the mountain as one big playground, the Unleashed 108 pops, pivots, and slashes with energy—without ever feeling flimsy.
—Marina Knight, Outside, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flimsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flimsy
Adjective
-
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
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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
Adjective
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These reasons alone might be sufficient for those who hold the shares to consider taking profits or selling some of the upside option premium, anticipating that additional upside in the near term is unlikely.—
Michael Khouw,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
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After all, Butler’s own success—as a child of a Black family that moved West from Jim Crow Louisiana during the Great Migration—would have been considered very unlikely at the moment of her birth.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Where Aytaç was large but poised, Abdi was insubstantial, scrawny, and unsteady on his feet.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Friday’s launch underscores the fragile security situation on the peninsula and highlights ongoing tensions as North Korea continues to expand its missile capabilities.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Moraes was operating within a young and fragile constitution ratified in 1988 after years of autocratic rule, Brandao said, one that had failed so far to stem pervasive corruption in the country.—
Ron Kampeas,
The Washington Examiner,
7 Nov. 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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In ’50s England, her professional academic lesbian shows up in a provocatively sexy outfit with a gauzy bodice.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
22 Oct. 2025
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The smocked bodice hugs just right without feeling tight, and the gauzy cotton moves beautifully—light and breathable enough for even the stickiest summer days.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But seemingly by sheer willpower, Meredith holds out her hand, which sends the liquid back in the opposite direction toward Britani.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
5 Nov. 2025
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The actress dares to bare her briefs in this Ulla Johnson set featuring a shockingly sheer skirt teamed with a ombré effect sequin top.—
Brittany Talarico,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Lily Allen strikes a pose in a delicate lace outfit on the carpet at 2025 CFDA Fashion Awards.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
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The idea worked on paper, but in practice, the alignment was extremely delicate, and the overall setup became unstable and hard to scale.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flimsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimsy. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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