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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in spiritual
not composed of matter
energy is insubstantial
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insubstantial
These insubstantial claims did not improve much after the European powers departed.
—
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
After speaking to my physician colleagues and hearing their earnest frustrations, there’s no doubt in my mind that the system needs reform and the association’s proposals—which are not insubstantial and would address many of the problems —are a great place to start.
—Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
The film and television tax credit may seem slightly insubstantial when compared with the state of the world right now, Rhine advised in a session largely focused on messaging.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
Nineteen is certainly a lot lower than 42, but, um, 19 over the course of 94 episodes of television is not exactly and insubstantial amount.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insubstantial
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
After speaking to my physician colleagues and hearing their earnest frustrations, there’s no doubt in my mind that the system needs reform and the association’s proposals—which are not insubstantial and would address many of the problems —are a great place to start.
—Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
The film and television tax credit may seem slightly insubstantial when compared with the state of the world right now, Rhine advised in a session largely focused on messaging.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
Nineteen is certainly a lot lower than 42, but, um, 19 over the course of 94 episodes of television is not exactly and insubstantial amount.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insubstantial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insubstantial
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
-
But James never commits fully enough to the spiritual/supernatural side to add much dimension to the confused narrative.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Feb. 2026
-
With the arrival of Lent, millions of Catholics around the world begin a period of reflection and spiritual preparation leading up to Holy Week, the central moment of the Christian faith that commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.—
Nadia Cantú,
AZCentral.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Just like flimsy wire and plastic hangers have no place in your closet, neither do bulky ones.—
Abbie Harrison,
Martha Stewart,
3 Feb. 2026
-
At first, its proliferation seemed to constitute a typical case of Hollywood copycatting; Big Little Lies becomes a smash, wins eight Emmys, begets flimsy imitations that lots of people watch anyway.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
In fact, magical life has the potential to be even more radically incorporeal than our own.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 June 2025
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
-
The phrase Silk Road evokes caravans on the horizon spinning a colossal web across the desert, with mountains of gossamer fabrics, ideologies, and discoveries ferried from China to Europe and back.—
Sarah Khan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Nov. 2022
Adjective
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Suffice to say that Zi’s condition may not be a physical issue or even a mental one but, rather, a metaphysical state.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Breaking down such a layered metaphysical concept with the relatively few words left in this review would be a fool’s errand, but suffice it to say that all of the math miraculously checks out.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This absurd, frothy series was inspired by ’90s erotic dramas and from-hell thrillers.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Jan. 2026
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When valuations are stretched and sentiment is frothy, there is a stronger chance for pullbacks to be more severe.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Philly native Dawn Staley, who attended the doubleheader, has carried the banner for women’s basketball out of the city — her hometown street was named in her honor in 2017 — but the college teams have largely been immaterial on the national scene.—
Dan Gelston,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
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The fact that Arkansas legislators raised objections to the appointment is immaterial.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insubstantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insubstantial. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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