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 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 These insubstantial claims did not improve much after the European powers departed. — Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 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

Adding something fun to your at-home altar like an incense holder, a statue of Venus/Aphrodite, or evil eye decor to stay grounded within yourself and embrace your spiritual side this month.

— Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Aug. 2026
Along the way, cast members sit for personal fate readings and open up about relationships and losses in their own lives, then move into direct contact with shamanic ritual, a practice the format positions as central to Korean spiritual life.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 30 July 2026

Definition of spiritual

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

But a gossamer jacket tossed over a swimsuit on a breezy evening?

— Jennifer Noyes, Air Mail, 25 Apr. 2026
The type of memory flashbacks that are shot at knee level, gauzy and out of focus, with a gossamer visual touch to conjure whispering, buried emotions of the past.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 Feb. 2026

Definition of gossamer

Adjective

The war on language is more metaphysical than just the policing of proper social justice terminology, Williams argues.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
Varsha’s mysterious memories are apparently linked to a much larger set of crises, and in order to make sense of these connections, both Dinu and Ghosh will have to dispense with the material and tread into the metaphysical.

— Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

Definition of metaphysical

Adjective

Polishing an already polished sound, Tyla’s second album adds reverb-heavy guitar and electronic production to frothy Afropop and amapiano log rhythms.

— E.R. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 30 July 2026
The entry of video platforms such as Netflix, Hulu and Tubi into a still-frothy marketplace of audio distributors (including Spotify, SiriusXM and Amazon) have pushed paydays into territory once reserved for movie stars.

— Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of frothy

Adjective

Whenever one of your stocks is being hit on news immaterial to your investment, that’s usually a pretty good time to take advantage.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 24 July 2026
To the casual observer, the look and feel of shipping containers suggests a world of smooth, lossless transportation, almost immaterial in its implementation of a logistical ideal.

— Alexander Klose, Scientific American, 24 July 2026