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to unsubstantialize

to unsubstantialize

9.9
To make something lose its physical form
  • verb
  • /ˌʌn.səbˈstæn.ʃəˌlaɪz/
  • Formal
translation icon : desmaterializar
  • Legends often unsubstantialize historical figures, turning them into myths.

Examples

  • She worried that digital art might unsubstantialize the experience of painting on canvas.

  • The artist aims to unsubstantialize the physical forms in her sculptures.

  • The philosopher argued that abstract thought can unsubstantialize the physical world.

  • Can you unsubstantialize this concept for better understanding?

  • The artist hopes to unsubstantialize reality through her conceptual artwork.

  • Philosophers sometimes believe that language can unsubstantialize complex ideas into simple terms.

  • In his writings, he intended to unsubstantialize the notion of identity, presenting it as fluid.

Synonyms

to obliterate
vsto unsubstantialize
71 7.5

To destroy something completely so nothing remains

removes existence by destruction instead of making it nonphysical
to dematerialize
vsto unsubstantialize
  • US
5 9.6

Disappear from sight and stop having a physical form

describes losing physical reality rather than being physically destroyed
to disembody
vsto unsubstantialize
  • Literature
1 8.3

To separate a mind or experience from its physical body

focuses on removing substance rather than only detaching from a body
to immaterialize
vsto unsubstantialize
9.9

To make something lose its physical form and seem to disappear

is about removing physical reality rather than destroying it
to disincarnate
vsto unsubstantialize
  • Literature
9.9

Make a spirit or mind leave its physical body

is broader, applying to anything that loses physical reality

Antonyms

To become real or happen as hoped

44 7.2

To show that something is true by giving proof or facts

How Material

to unsubstantialize
  • Formal
9.9
to dematerialize
  • US
5 9.6

Surface Forms

unsubstantialize infinitive
unsubstantialized past participle
unsubstantializing present participle
unsubstantializes third person singular

Morphology

unsubstantialize = substantialize (semi-transparent) = un + substantial + ize

The prefix 'un-' negates 'substantialize', but the base verb is rare and the derivation is not fully transparent to most learners.

Etymology

The word unsubstantialize comes from un- ('not') + substance ('stuff' or 'matter') and the verb ending -ize. So it means to 'take away the substance' or make something not physical or not real.