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insubstantial
[ in-suhb-stan-shuhl ]
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.
insubstantial
/ ˌɪnsəbˈstænʃəl /
adjective
- not substantial; flimsy, tenuous, or slight
- imaginary; unreal
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Derived Forms
- ˌinsubˈstantially, adverb
- ˌinsubˌstantiˈality, noun
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Other Words From
- insub·stanti·ali·ty noun
- insub·stantial·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins
Origin of insubstantial1
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Example Sentences
It was at least something, however insubstantial, that he could offer to Karzai at the talks.
His aspect was as insubstantial as fog, dreams, or an expelled breath, and in this he resembled billions of human beings.
After a brief market rally on Monday, confidence was snuffed out as traders reckoned the support was insubstantial.
Insubstantial novelty has more to do with decadence than any form of innovation.
That was another relative—James Lampton, a cousin—quite as lovable, and a builder of even more insubstantial dreams.
The coast of America now looked more like a low-lying fringe of insubstantial cloud than solid land.
Here we may fashion pictures and weave around them gossamer draperies as insubstantial as this golden twilight.
When viewed in the light of that modern common sense which has guided economic discussion, it seems formal and insubstantial.
Odd to reflect on—they were the insubstantial but coveted wealth of the woman fallen upon poverty, ignoble poverty!
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