nonsubstantial
- adjective
- /ˌnɒn.səbˈstæn.ʃəl/
:
insustancial
- The decorations were beautiful but ultimately nonsubstantial, adding little value to the event.
Examples
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The proposal was deemed nonsubstantial and did not warrant further discussion.
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His nonsubstantial claims lacked evidence and failed to convince the audience.
-
Existing in nonsubstantial form in the intelligible world, that is, the world of spirit, mind, or soul, Number was thought to exist in the material world as an extension of form in physical space.
Academic text (1996) -
Somewhat ironically, the rejection of substance that led Buddhists to reject Brahman and Atman opened the door in Hartshorne to an affirmation of a nonsubstantial God and human self.
Academic text (2014)
Synonyms
31
5.6
Very small or unimportant and not worth worrying about
30
7.6
Very weak and not likely to be important or true
29
7.7
Not important and not likely to make a difference
19
7.2
Not important or relevant to a situation
17
7.5
Not related or needed and coming from outside
11
4.4
Not needed for something to work or be successful
9
6.8
Not solid or strong and not filling
1
7.3
Not solid or real and having little value
1
5.0
Not needed for the main purpose
1
6.0
Not important because it may be due to chance or too small to matter
Not important and does not affect the main point
Not important or serious compared with other things
Not important for the main result
Not useful or important
Not important and having little effect on events
Not necessary for the main part of a plan, idea, or system
Antonyms
How Substantial
Surface Forms
Morphology
nonsubstantial = substantial (transparent) = non + substance + ial
The negative prefix 'non-' is applied to the existing adjective 'substantial', producing a straightforward negation.
Etymology
Nonsubstantial is made of non- meaning 'not' and substantial, from substance meaning 'real stuff' or 'something solid'. So, nonsubstantial describes something that is not solid, not strong, or not important.