Definitions

house of cards

ADJECTIVE

flimsy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chiffon decrepit feeble insubstantial rickety shaky tacky

STRONG

frail gossamer slight wobbly

WEAK

cut-rate defective delicate diaphanous fragile gauzy inadequate infirm meager papery rinkydink sheer slapdash sleazy superficial transparent unsound unsubstantial weak

Antonyms

STRONGEST

strong substantial

STRONG

solid sturdy thick

WEAK

firm heavy sound tough

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Both share one house of cards that works on paper.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

Let’s hope that we can knock over that house of cards with peace walks and other forms of calm, resolute resistance.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2026

Every time OpenAI wants to spend money, Windsor said, it needs to raise money — “and it only takes one investment round to go badly for the whole house of cards to fall.”

From MarketWatch • Feb. 5, 2026

Special agent in charge Ricky J Patel said the picture put forward of 777's finances was "an illusion of stability that was a years-long house of cards".

From BBC • Oct. 17, 2025

Within a few months after the match ended, Vasiljevic’s financial house of cards began to collapse.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

house of cards

Example Sentences

Related Words