insubstantial

[ in-suhb-stan-shuhl ]

/ ˌɪn səbˈstæn ʃəl /

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See synonyms for: insubstantial / insubstantiality on Thesaurus.com

adjective

not substantial or real; lacking substance: an insubstantial world of dreams.

not solid or firm; weak; flimsy.

not substantial in amount or size; inconsiderable: an insubstantial sum.

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Origin of insubstantial

From the Late Latin word insubstantiālis, dating back to 1600–10. See in-³, substantial

OTHER WORDS FROM insubstantial

in·sub·stan·ti·al·i·ty, nounin·sub·stan·tial·ly, adverb

Words nearby insubstantial

instrument panel, in style, insubordinate, insubordination, in substance, insubstantial, insudate, insufferable, insufficiency, insufficiency disease, insufficiency of eyelids

How to use insubstantial in a sentence

However, for the sake of what isn’t an insubstantial investment, don’t mistake that for being fully waterproof.
JBL PartyBox 110 review: Make (and take) a splash|Markkus Rovito|September 16, 2021|Popular-Science
Meanwhile, this vast ecosystem of plug-ins brings with it a not-insubstantial number of security vulnerabilities.
Looking to leave WordPress behind? You’re not alone|Pamela Parker|May 25, 2021|Search Engine Land
Even these willfully insubstantial constructions are more concrete than Jacqueline Maggi’s diaphanous, unoccupied rectangular enclosure.
In the galleries: A wide array of media carry election-year messages|Mark Jenkins|October 30, 2020|Washington Post
It was at least something, however insubstantial, that he could offer to Karzai at the talks.
Taliban’s Quetta Shura Meet in Islamabad to Press for Peace|Ron Moreau|November 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST

His aspect was as insubstantial as fog, dreams, or an expelled breath, and in this he resembled billions of human beings.
3 Must-Read Offbeat Novels: ‘A Million Heavens,’ ‘The Investigation,’ ‘Office Girl’|Drew Toal, Kevin Canfield, Daniel Roberts|July 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
After a brief market rally on Monday, confidence was snuffed out as traders reckoned the support was insubstantial.
Will Greece Leave the Euro Zone?|Louise Armitstead|June 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Insubstantial novelty has more to do with decadence than any form of innovation.
What Was Venus Thinking?|Stanley Crouch|May 29, 2010|DAILY BEAST
That was another relative—James Lampton, a cousin—quite as lovable, and a builder of even more insubstantial dreams.
Mark Twain, A Biography, 1835-1910, Complete|Albert Bigelow Paine
The coast of America now looked more like a low-lying fringe of insubstantial cloud than solid land.
Tramping on Life|Harry Kemp
Here we may fashion pictures and weave around them gossamer draperies as insubstantial as this golden twilight.
The Broken Sword|Dennison Worthington
When viewed in the light of that modern common sense which has guided economic discussion, it seems formal and insubstantial.
The Theory of the Leisure Class|Thorstein Veblen
Odd to reflect on—they were the insubstantial but coveted wealth of the woman fallen upon poverty, ignoble poverty!
The Amazing Marriage, Complete|George Meredith

British Dictionary definitions for insubstantial

insubstantial

/ (ˌɪnsəbˈstænʃəl) /

adjective

not substantial; flimsy, tenuous, or slight

imaginary; unreal

Derived forms of insubstantial

insubstantiality, nouninsubstantially, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

insubstantial

Origin of insubstantial

OTHER WORDS FROM insubstantial

Words nearby insubstantial

Words related to insubstantial

How to use insubstantial in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for insubstantial

Derived forms of insubstantial