1
as in unsubstantial
being of a material lacking in sturdiness or substance
a flimsy scarf that was more for decoration than for warmth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unlikely
not likely to be true or to occur
"The check is in the mail" is a pretty flimsy and tired excuse
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flimsy
Ultimately, while The Substance got off to an intriguing start, the majority of the film and especially its goofy ending was mostly cheap shock value and amateurish satire built on the flimsiest premise imaginable.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile, aluminum plans can be flimsy and lack stability.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Its defense of the Second Amendment in the weeks following Newtown, Conn., has been flimsy and scattered, often having nothing to do with the Constitution.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) The blueprint, really, not just for Ferrell, but for a whole new school of comedy that would take over the next decade: aggressive absurdism, a (often purposefully) flimsy premise existing only to stack a series of lunatic gags and setpieces end-to-end.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flimsy
Erik Kain, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
Meanwhile, aluminum plans can be flimsy and lack stability.
—Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
Its defense of the Second Amendment in the weeks following Newtown, Conn., has been flimsy and scattered, often having nothing to do with the Constitution.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) The blueprint, really, not just for Ferrell, but for a whole new school of comedy that would take over the next decade: aggressive absurdism, a (often purposefully) flimsy premise existing only to stack a series of lunatic gags and setpieces end-to-end.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flimsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flimsy
Adjective
-
Salads Salads don’t have to feel flimsy or unsubstantial.—
Katie Workman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Sep. 2023
-
From a personal finance perspective, people with extra cash should feel free to put an unsubstantial portion of their wealth into high-risk, high-volatility assets like crypto or meme stocks or even Super Bowl bets (thanks for the two-touchdown performance, Cooper Kupp).—
Scott Nover,
Quartz,
14 Feb. 2022
Adjective
-
Investors in the German automotive industry can relax as Sunday’s general election produced a result unlikely to frighten the horses.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The results spell an unlikely third-act triumph for the 69-year-old, who just seven years ago was seen as a failed politician fully reconciled to ending his career as a wealthy lobbyist and member of numerous company boards.—
Thomas Escritt,
USA TODAY,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
But, taking these study findings from here all the way down the drug development pipeline to where there’s a safe and effective new drug on the market is expected to take a long time and a not insubstantial amount of money.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 Jan. 2025
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With a not insubstantial piece of Mexico’s economy reliant on production stateside, a cessation of those inflows will logically impoverish a big number of those formerly sustained directly by remittances.—
John Tamny,
Forbes,
4 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This refusal could lead to a crisis with both Hamas and Egypt, the key mediator, at a delicate time for the already fragile truce.—
Nadine El-Bawab,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Hours before talks began, an Israeli official said the country would not withdraw from a strategic corridor in the Gaza Strip as called for under the cease-fire, a refusal that could severely complicate negotiations with Hamas and key mediator Egypt at a sensitive moment for the fragile truce.—
Mohammad Jahjouh,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
No matter how far-fetched the premise or gossamer-thin the story, the musical invites (compels) us to go along with its essential surrealism, to travel to that dream space where everyday life suddenly moves and sounds deliriously out of this world.—
Manohla Dargis,
New York Times,
7 May 2020
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For her label Anissa Aida, designer Anissa Meddeb, who lives in the capital, makes gossamer silk blouses evoking the striped motif of handwoven fouta towels and voluminous coats inspired by the burnoose cloaks worn by Berbers.—
Sarah Khan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2020
Adjective
-
Bridges were needed not just to fulfill a gauzy City Beautiful dream, but for practical reasons.—
Gary Kamiya,
San Francisco Chronicle,
4 Mar. 2022
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Having grown up working in his mother’s Los Angeles hair salon, Bradford adopted a primary artmaking material that is not paint, but rather small gauzy papers used to curl hair.—
Matthew Bourbon,
Dallas News,
22 Apr. 2020
Adjective
-
Catch up quick: In the mid-19th century, Crum — a chef at Moon's Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York — changed food history out of sheer frustration.—
Delano Massey,
Axios,
27 Feb. 2025
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The cars were also judged on the basis of innovation, sheer sumptuousness, and importance, with nine experts voting on the results.—
Raphael Orlove,
Robb Report,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Set in Olivier’s home, the campaign comes to life through a delicate balance of gentleness and audacity, a duality woven into its narrative.—
Essence,
Essence,
21 Feb. 2025
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Inspired by Grace Kelly, the design featured a full skirt contrasted with a delicate bodice featuring a mock neck and long sleeves.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flimsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flimsy. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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