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nonsubstantive

nonsubstantive

7.0
Not important and does not affect the main point
  • adjective
  • /ˌnɒnˈsʌbstəntɪv/
translation icon : insustancial
  • Primary contacts were differentiated from incidental contacts, which were brief, nonsubstantive contacts between the family and teacher.

Examples

  • The Clinton administration tends to settle for nonsubstantive policy "wins" -- in the words of one official, "finding the low-hanging fruit" -- rather than fighting for difficult new programs.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Numerous studies substantiate the findings of hypercritical, nonsubstantive coverage of Congress.

    Academic text (2000)
  • In Brander, however, the differences between the first report and the subsequent duplicate report were nonsubstantive.

    Academic text (2018)
  • Nonsubstantive edits were made for editorial purposes. Users may refer to the original source for the full text. # TABLE Online Curriculum Policies

    Academic text (2015)
  • Consequently, they do not reflect the total number of claims investigated on a yearly basis and certainly do not address those claims that are ultimately deemed nonsubstantive.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The idea behind this proposal was nonsubstantive, but as a cosmetic device, it might reconcile or justify some greater number of 1L's quitting law school.

    Blog text (12)
  • The teacher explained that the student's questions were nonsubstantive and did not relate to the main topic of discussion.

  • During the debate, many participants made nonsubstantive remarks that did not contribute to resolving the issue at hand.

  • The report was filled with nonsubstantive details that distracted from the key findings and recommendations.

Synonyms

irrelevant
vsnonsubstantive
355 3.6

Not related to the subject people are discussing or to the main point

is about lacking real substance or overall significance rather than only relevance
unimportant
vsnonsubstantive
54 1.9

Not worth attention or notice

emphasizes not affecting the main point rather than general unimportance
inconsequential
vsnonsubstantive
29 7.7

Not important and not likely to make a difference

stresses not affecting the main issue rather than mere triviality
immaterial
vsnonsubstantive
19 7.2

Not important or relevant to a situation

focuses more on not changing or affecting the central issue
impertinent
vsnonsubstantive
4 7.3

Not related to the topic being discussed

is broader, stressing lack of substance or significance beyond relevance
unsubstantial
vsnonsubstantive
1 7.3

Not solid or real and having little value

applies to lack of importance or effect rather than material form
indifferent
vsnonsubstantive
1 4.5

Not important and having little effect

focuses specifically on not affecting the main issue or substance
noncritical
vsnonsubstantive
1 4.1

Not serious or urgent and not part of a dangerous situation

is about lacking substance or significance for the main issue
nonsubstantial
vsnonsubstantive
7.0

Not solid, strong, or important

focuses on not affecting the main issue rather than physical substance
inconsequent
vsnonsubstantive
9.1

Not important or serious compared with other things

points instead to lacking effect on the central issue
nonpertinent
vsnonsubstantive
6.9

Not related to what is being discussed

puts more weight on lacking substance or real significance
nongermane
vsnonsubstantive
8.1

Has nothing to do with the topic being discussed

is more about lacking real importance or effect rather than topical fit
unmomentous
vsnonsubstantive
6.8

Not important and having little effect on events

highlights absence of effect on the core issue rather than mere consequence
noninformative
vsnonsubstantive
6.5

Not giving useful details

focuses on lacking importance or effect on the main matter
nonmeaningful
vsnonsubstantive
7.6

Not useful or important

is narrower, centering on not affecting the main issue rather than meaninglessness

Antonyms

1.0

A person or thing that matters a lot

substantive
  • Formal
88 6.3

Important and having real meaning or value

How Important

crucial
469 3.6
important
1.0
minor
600 2.4
nonsubstantive
7.0
irrelevant
355 3.6

Surface Forms

nonsubstantive positive

Morphology

nonsubstantive = substantive (transparent) = non + substantive

The meaning is directly compositional: 'non-' negates 'substantive' to mean lacking substance or importance.

Etymology

Nonsubstantive starts with non- ('not') and uses substantive, which is related to substance ('real thing' or 'matter'). So nonsubstantive means 'not having real substance' or 'not important', something that does not affect the main point.