1
as in unsubstantial
being of a material lacking in sturdiness or substance
an insubstantial carton that could not possibly stand up during long-distance shipping
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spiritual
not composed of matter
energy is insubstantial
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 insubstantial
But, taking these study findings from here all the way down the drug development pipeline to where there’s a safe and effective new drug on the market is expected to take a long time and a not insubstantial amount of money.
—
New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2025
With a not insubstantial piece of Mexico’s economy reliant on production stateside, a cessation of those inflows will logically impoverish a big number of those formerly sustained directly by remittances.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
If those arguments appear insubstantial, the jury verdict and injunction should stand.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
But, taking these study findings from here all the way down the drug development pipeline to where there’s a safe and effective new drug on the market is expected to take a long time and a not insubstantial amount of money.
—New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insubstantial
New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2025
With a not insubstantial piece of Mexico’s economy reliant on production stateside, a cessation of those inflows will logically impoverish a big number of those formerly sustained directly by remittances.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 4 Jan. 2025
If those arguments appear insubstantial, the jury verdict and injunction should stand.
—Alden Abbott, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
But, taking these study findings from here all the way down the drug development pipeline to where there’s a safe and effective new drug on the market is expected to take a long time and a not insubstantial amount of money.
—New Atlas, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insubstantial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insubstantial
Adjective
-
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
-
The algorithm fed the Giants pitcher a savory yet unsubstantial diet of short-form content.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
For deeper spiritual guidance, Tarot and Angel Card Readings offer encouragement and clarity about the past, present, and future.—
Kate Donnelly,
Forbes.com,
19 May 2025
-
This is a man with absolutely no spiritual principles at all.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 May 2025
Adjective
-
Trump’s negotiators claimed success in getting the Taliban to agree to break ties with al-Qaida, but Curtis calls it a flimsy pledge with weak and meaningless language.—
Bob Kustra,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2025
-
Then, in 1911, the relatively new state of Italy, using the flimsiest of excuses, invaded what later became Libya.—
Margaret MacMillan,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
If reason teaches that God is incorporeal, this means that God has no body; God does not physically see, nor do people see God.—
Randy L. Friedman,
The Conversation,
16 Feb. 2024
-
The digital files are incorporeal.—
BostonGlobe.com,
BostonGlobe.com,
9 June 2021
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
-
Her interest in mysteries and the occult began in the metaphysical section at her local Borders.—
Roya Backlund,
StyleCaster,
16 May 2025
-
In my adolescence, the fight turned emotional and metaphysical, mirroring the peaks and valleys of hormonal mood shifts.—
Carla Sosenko,
Vogue,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
More than 300 years later, relationship-advice columns are still often dismissed as frothy features of women’s magazines.—
Sophia Stewart,
The Atlantic,
7 May 2025
-
When hot, use a milk frother or blender to combine until smooth, frothy, and fully blended.—
Anna Giorgi,
Verywell Health,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
Even in the best of times, long-term observations can be very fragile.—
Eric Morgan,
Wired News,
10 May 2025
-
Fiber optic cable, in my opinion, is more fragile than traditional solid-copper coaxial cable.—
Tim Carter,
Hartford Courant,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insubstantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insubstantial. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share