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INSUBSTANTIAL
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Lacking material form or substance; unreal
Example:
an insubstantial mirage on the horizon
Synonyms:
insubstantial; unreal; unsubstantial
Classified under:
Similar:
aerial; aeriform; aery; airy; ethereal (characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air)
shadowy; wraithlike (lacking in substance)
hollow (lacking in substance or character)
stringy (consisting of or containing string or strings)
Also:
immaterial; nonmaterial (not consisting of matter)
Attribute:
solidness; substantiality; substantialness (the quality of being substantial or having substance)
Antonym:
substantial (having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary)
Derivation:
insubstantiality (lacking substance or reality)
insubstantiality (lack of solid substance and strength)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Lacking solidity or strength
Example:
vinyl siding has become the standard-bearer for cheap, insubstantial construction
Synonyms:
flimsy; insubstantial
Classified under:
Similar:
weak (wanting in physical strength)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Lacking in nutritive value
Example:
an insubstantial and unsatisfying meal
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
unwholesome (detrimental to physical or moral well-being)
