insubstantial Definition
in·sub·stan·tial (in′səb stan′s̸həl)
adjective
not substantial; specif.,
- not real; imaginary
- not solid or firm; weak or flimsy
Etymology: ML insubstantialis
insubstantial Related Forms
in′·sub·stan′·ti·al′·ity (-s̸hē al′ə tē) noun
insubstantial Synonyms
insubstantial
modif.
insubstantial Usage Examples
Infinitive complement
have: They were too insubstantial to have served as a stave or a splint.
Modifies a noun
- sum: I remember winning a not insubstantial sum of money from an unnamed officer who was convinced were going for good!
- amount: It must have been annoying for Alice Pike to have to break a note to pay for a relatively insubstantial amount.
- nature: Overall this early phase of development was probably of short duration and of an insubstantial nature.
- difference: Extent of the differences According to the EAT, any trivial or insubstantial differences between the jobs should also be disregarded.
- part: This might seem like a fairly insubstantial part of the Act.
- portion: Right to Copy Documentation Print Copy: Licensee and Authorized Users may print a minimal, insubstantial portion of the Licensed Materials.
Modifying Another Word
- too: However, this characterisation proves to be too insubstantial for the promises of the minimal theory to be properly satisfied.
- so: We could see light, but otherwise, why was it so insubstantial?
- not: The lower Bb key pillar was sitting on a not insubstantial bed of solder, for example.
- fairly: This might seem like a fairly insubstantial part of the Act.
- rather: Quite apart from the relentlessly downbeat subject matter, the book also feels rather insubstantial.
- relatively: It must have been annoying for Alice Pike to have to break a note to pay for a relatively insubstantial amount.
Used with adjective complement
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