unsubstantial

[ uhn-suh b-stan-shuh l ]

/ ˌʌn səbˈstæn ʃəl /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR unsubstantial ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not substantial; having no foundation in fact; fanciful; insubstantial: an unsubstantial argument; unsubstantial hopes.

without material substance: an unsubstantial ghost.

lacking material substance; materially paltry: an unsubstantial dinner of bread and cheese.

lacking strength or solidity; flimsy: an unsubstantial wall of cardboard.

Words nearby unsubstantial

unstrung, unstuck, unstudied, unsub, unsubscribe, unsubstantial, unsubstantiated, unsubtle, unsuccess, unsuccessful, unsuitable

Origin of unsubstantial

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at un-¹, substantial

OTHER WORDS FROM unsubstantial

un·sub·stan·ti·al·i·ty, nounun·sub·stan·tial·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for unsubstantial

The level of opposition to the Ryan budget among the bishops is not unsubstantial.
Paul Ryan’s Catholic Problem|Deal W. Hudson|August 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
You can't imagine its individuality, its airy, unsubstantial, superior poise.
The Pool in the Desert|Sara Jeanette Duncan
Here it builds its unsubstantial nest of a few sticks, and lays two eggs.
British Birds in their Haunts|Rev. C. A. Johns
The hope to be admired for ages is, in by far the greater part of those even who are authors of repute, an unsubstantial dream.
The Letters of Robert Burns|Robert Burns

I saw many myriads of spectral kitten forms, and unsubstantial egg shapes rushing towards me through the air.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 108, April 20, 1895|Various
The little pier at which they landed, neglected and unsubstantial, seemed barely strong enough to bear their weight.
The Pines of Lory|John Ames Mitchell

British Dictionary definitions for unsubstantial

unsubstantial

/ (ˌʌnsəbˈstænʃəl) /

adjective

lacking weight, strength, or firmness

(esp of an argument) of doubtful validity

of no material existence or substance; unreal

Derived forms of unsubstantial

unsubstantiality, noununsubstantially, 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

unsubstantial

adjective

Words related to unsubstantial

Words nearby unsubstantial

Origin of unsubstantial

OTHER WORDS FROM unsubstantial

Examples from the Web for unsubstantial

British Dictionary definitions for unsubstantial

adjective

Derived forms of unsubstantial