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View synonyms for unsubstantial

unsubstantial

[ uhn-suhb-stan-shuhl ]

adjective

  1. not substantial; having no foundation in fact; fanciful; insubstantial:

    an unsubstantial argument; unsubstantial hopes.

  2. without material substance:

    an unsubstantial ghost.

  3. lacking material substance; materially paltry:

    an unsubstantial dinner of bread and cheese.

  4. lacking strength or solidity; flimsy:

    an unsubstantial wall of cardboard.



unsubstantial

/ ˌʌnsəbˈstænʃəl /

adjective

  1. lacking weight, strength, or firmness
  2. (esp of an argument) of doubtful validity
  3. of no material existence or substance; unreal


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Derived Forms

  • ˌunsubˈstantially, adverb
  • ˌunsubˌstantiˈality, noun

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Other Words From

  • unsub·stanti·ali·ty noun
  • unsub·stantial·ly adverb

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Word History and Origins

Origin of unsubstantial1

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

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Example Sentences

They’re unsubstantial, and the first few times I skied them, before snow in southwestern Colorado had substantially accumulated, I was afraid, deep down, that skiers would think I was, too.

They’re unsubstantial, and the first few times I skied them, before snow out here in southwestern Colorado had substantially accumulated, I was afraid, deep down, that skiers would think I was, too.

The level of opposition to the Ryan budget among the bishops is not unsubstantial.

There cannot be an unsubstantial city of demons to be seen at night, that vanishes and becomes only plain forest in the daytime?

One of the enemy side-slips, dives and streaks to the earth, leaving a cloud of smoke to mark his unsubstantial path.

Watson's and Brooke's stories proved as unsubstantial as the astonishing romance adopted by grave de Thou.

I dare say it would have been all right had we been four months old, but being rather more mature, it seemed unsubstantial.

A cabin would be built upon the land and some unsubstantial improvements made.

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