INSUBSTANTIAL Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

insubstantial

adjective

ˌin(t)-səb-ˈstan(t)-shəl

Definition of insubstantial

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Even with her strong work, the film around her always feels, at best, insubstantial, and, at worst, incomplete. — Chase Hutchinson, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026 Scarlet’s good intentions to end wars by way of sheer determination to do what’s right might prove insubstantial in practice. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026 Oliver Rackham, the great historian of the British countryside, devoted a not insubstantial portion of his career to rebutting this claim, noting that there is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that these punishments were ever carried out. — Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025 And since the lesser and insubstantial always has to give place to the greater and substantial, self-indulgent lust has no choice but to make way for our reflection of pure and perfect Love. — Tony Lobl, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insubstantial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insubstantial

Adjective

Roadmaps are frequently high-level and unsubstantial.

— Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
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

Definition of unsubstantial

Adjective

Crowley said Aiwass dictated to him the Book of the Law, which became the scripture for Crowley's new spiritual philosophy of Thelema.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
These spiritual beings are nothing if not preoccupied with the state of material things, such as the temperature of the wine, for example.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of spiritual

Adjective

No governing body certifies apps as vibe-coded or not, so the functional distinction between something like PhotoCraft and Photopea is ultimately somewhat flimsy.

— Ruben Circelli, PC Magazine, 29 Oct. 2026
Into this vacuum stepped an array of noble sons and daughters with even the flimsiest claim to the throne.

— Eva Wolchover, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of flimsy

Adjective

Followers of the Abrahamic religions are supposed to treat God as immaterial and incorporeal, yet these early Yahweh worshippers imagined him as fully embodied.

— Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026
Positioned as a large-scale genre event, the series updates the legendary SFX property with a contemporary political and social edge, with Shun Oguri leading the cast as a detective hunting a seemingly incorporeal killer.

— Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026

Definition of incorporeal

Adjective

Oakley’s spin isn’t one of those gossamer period love stories about repressed emotions — those are there, yes, but the Dashwoods are actively pressing against their station at all times.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
These days we are surrounded by ghosts and gossamer visions vying for our attention, trying to tell us something vital—or as mundane as to shut up already, like in my case.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of gossamer

Adjective

The latter perhaps most acutely reflected such dominant motifs in Gibson’s midcareer work as female figures, birds, and metaphysical reflectors.

— The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026
The best moments on records like Redemption, Blackheart, and Second Line use her knack for grand, metaphysical metaphors to charge her singing with epic stakes.

— Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of metaphysical

Adjective

Recall the custom Yasmina Atta dress that married a plunging latex bodice with a frothy tulle tutu, slung low on the hips and toughened up with studded belts.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
The best deals go to a few firms, with others given a sliver at frothy valuations or locked out until an IPO.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of frothy

Adjective

Venus remains in a supportive sextile to Jupiter all month, which lends you tangible and immaterial support to make your dreams feasible.

— Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Oct. 2026
How Davis, Lee, and others convinced themselves of their cause, although instructive to the working of the human mind, is immaterial to the facts of American history.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Oct. 2026