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
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2
as in spiritual
not composed of matter
energy is insubstantial
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Example Sentences
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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
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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
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That was evident last week at King Jesus Ministry, a nondenominational megachurch where President Donald Trump’s top spiritual advisor, pastor Paula White-Cain, has been a visitor over the years.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
12 June 2025
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Developing the project felt spiritual, and was an act of learning to nurture her relationship with process.—
Nia Shumake,
Essence,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Eager to serve his premise regarding Dylan’s Jewishness, Freedman sometimes turns it into a flimsy fallback device.—
Chris Vognar,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2025
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Boasberg’s new 69-page ruling said the men had been denied that right and were deported based on allegedly flimsy or nonexistent gang ties, in the eyes of the judge.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
Indeed, in stark contrast to the incorporeal nature of a digital image, each of Winant’s photographs is, in a sense, a discrete body: a fallible material entity that boasts a hidden physical history and that will compositionally deteriorate over time.—
Jessica Simmons-Reid,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
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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
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
-
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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Shauna speaks with Jackie all the time, but this was sort of a new metaphysical space for the show.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
-
Cage’s haunted delivery, contrasting powerfully with Knell’s anxious, terrified giggling, gives the scene a metaphysical kick.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Beat egg whites and cream of tartar with a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment on medium-low speed until frothy, about 1 minute.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
8 June 2025
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And since summer is upon us, having a roster of frothy floral numbers on hand, from Vogue editor-favorites like Bernadette, Agua by Agua Bendita, or La DoubleJ, will surely fit the mood of that dreamy, outdoor venue or rustic estate.—
Kristina Rutkowski,
Vogue,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Their batting line-up appeared particularly fragile.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2025
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When Klarna struck a partnership deal with food delivery group DoorDash in March, journalists seized on the notion of consumers paying for pizzas in installments as evidence of BNPL lenders tempting customers to overextend in a fragile economy.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Insubstantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insubstantial. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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