insubstantiality

noun

1
as in flimsiness

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2
as in unsoundness

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insubstantiality
  1. flimsiness
  2. unsoundness
  3. fragility
  4. precariousness
  5. daintiness
  6. insecurity
  7. instability
  8. unsteadiness
Noun
  • The legal flimsiness of the indictment indicates just how far Blanche’s DOJ is willing to go to please the president.
    — Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
  • The Federal Police deployed a massive show of force — including armored vehicles and heavy weaponry — to apprehend a small group, creating a media spectacle that starkly contrasted with the flimsiness of the legal case.
    — Evandro Cruz Silva, The Dial, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of flimsiness
Noun
  • Based on Alaïa Jade’s public reputation and the structural unsoundness of the bell tower, Smullen thinks an accidental death is likely.
    — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2025
  • In looking back at the history of Emtech, the colt who suffered a catastrophic breakdown in Saturday’s eighth race, it was discovered that he was once placed on the Veterinarian’s List because of unsoundness.
    — John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2019
Definition of unsoundness
Noun
  • Sesko popped up with what United thought was a winner, but yet more fragility at the back cost them.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • But Wild Horse Nine has been built around the queasy charisma of the great John Malkovich, who has made a career out of blending fragility and menace, even in his smallest parts.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of fragility
Noun
  • In 2026 Cusk published her most controversial work yet, Life of M, a novel that examines fame, celebrity culture, and the precariousness of identity.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Sep. 2026
  • But an Iranian diplomat promptly rejected this, saying such a visit can only come after a final deal — a denial that highlighted the precariousness of the ongoing negotiations.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 June 2026
Definition of precariousness
Noun
  • With a daintiness at odds with its 120 kilos, the bear extricates its wrist from the tie and calmly takes its leave.
    — Ganesh Marín, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025
Definition of daintiness
Noun
  • McBride, like all good satirists, cranks up the volume of those resentments and insecurities, in the process revealing a new way to see the world.
    — T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2026
  • There is still time for Americans to create a new apogee before America 300 by rejecting the lies, insecurity, and ignorance endemic of the last quarter-century.
    — Michael E. Neagle, Hartford Courant, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of insecurity
Noun
  • Quenisha Johnson, mother of four — including a third-grader, an eighth-grader and a recent graduate of the school — said her family has experienced housing instability, and the school supports her children with food boxes, supplies and counseling.
    — Francesca Pinney, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Paradoxically, Peru’s extraordinary political instability has helped reinforce the independence of the BCRP and the continuity of the technical staff at the Treasury.
    — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of instability
Noun
  • Dogs may also experience unsteadiness or lack of coordination, and in severe cases, seizures or coma may occur.
    — Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
  • Unlike dizziness — which causes lightheadedness or unsteadiness — vertigo feels more like spinning.
    — Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 27 May 2026
Definition of unsteadiness
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.

Browse Nearby Words

insubstantial
insubstantiality
insufferable
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Cite this Entry

“Insubstantiality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insubstantiality. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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