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
And the guard rails were pretty flimsy to begin with.
—
Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
Two bills returned into Rafiq’s hand upon his pointing out that the wood panelling on the side of the radio was scratched and that the knob felt rather flimsy.
—Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
The barricades were flimsy and unanchored.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
And while the Bears have one of the league’s flimsiest defenses, the Seahawks are a top-five unit.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flimsy
Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
Two bills returned into Rafiq’s hand upon his pointing out that the wood panelling on the side of the radio was scratched and that the knob felt rather flimsy.
—Literary Hub, 8 Jan. 2026
The barricades were flimsy and unanchored.
—Jamie Thompson, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
And while the Bears have one of the league’s flimsiest defenses, the Seahawks are a top-five unit.
—Matt Barrows, New York Times, 2 Jan. 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
-
The team rallied to win their first Test in Australia since 2011 at the MCG in Melbourne and have now taken the final Test into a fifth day in Sydney, albeit victory looks unlikely.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, said a major drought year is unlikely given how much precipitation the state has gotten, adding that the southern part of state is seeing one of the wettest starts to any water year on record.—
Chaewon Chung
Updated January 6,
Sacbee.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Where Aytaç was large but poised, Abdi was insubstantial, scrawny, and unsteady on his feet.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
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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The synthetic insulation can be beaten up more than fragile down, and the 15-denier fabric is water-resistant and durable for extended wear.—
Maggie Slepian,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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The latter provides the opportunity for a harrowing sequence in which the family is forced to cross a giant ravine on a treacherously fragile rope ladder.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Perverts By turns a budding chart sensation, a political firebrand, and an enthusiastic cataloguer of cryptids, Ethel Cain interrupts a stream of gossamer pop, folk, and rock records with Perverts, a droning rejection of the accessibility of her 2022 Billboard top-ten debut Preacher’s Daughter.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
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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
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
-
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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The Rhode founder stunned in a sheer black mesh teddy with a G-string thong design and an ab-baring cutout made out of straps.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
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But the department has argued the sheer volume of documents that need to be found, uploaded, reviewed, redacted and published has forced it to instead release the files online on a rolling basis, with a series of enormous document dumps over the course of several days in mid-December.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This delicate balance allows massive galaxies to stay dormant for billions of years, even when star-forming material is present.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
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Ballerina styles, those with lace-up construction, are emerging as a standout, adding a delicate, fashion-forward touch while remaining practical.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Flimsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimsy. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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