1
as in surface
lying on or affecting only the outer layer of something
a superficial scratch that barely even broke the skin
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shallow
having or showing a lack of depth of understanding or character
a superficial analysis of how the violence in video games affects young people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of superficial
And this world in which so much is about your presentation and kind of the superficial representation and beauty, the status that comes from beauty and privilege comes in different forms.
—
Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
The verisimilitude of Cummins’s present-day Puerto Rico is superficial at best, and references — to alfajores, Yaucono coffee, pasteles and alcapurrias — seem to be plucked from Wikipedia to add authenticity.
—Esmeralda Santiago, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Garmin also upgrades the superficial hardware in the Forerunner 970.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Health advocacy organizations say public outreach for this effort, especially to Black Georgians, has been superficial at best.
—Margaret Coker, ProPublica, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for superficial
Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
The verisimilitude of Cummins’s present-day Puerto Rico is superficial at best, and references — to alfajores, Yaucono coffee, pasteles and alcapurrias — seem to be plucked from Wikipedia to add authenticity.
—Esmeralda Santiago, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Garmin also upgrades the superficial hardware in the Forerunner 970.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Health advocacy organizations say public outreach for this effort, especially to Black Georgians, has been superficial at best.
—Margaret Coker, ProPublica, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for superficial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superficial
Adjective
-
Storms are the most common cause of lightning, but lightning strikes have been observed in volcanic eruptions, surface nuclear detonations and during heavy snowstorms even.—
Joyce Orlando,
The Tennessean,
2 Aug. 2024
-
When values fail to align, problems surface, even in organizations committed to developing leaders through coaching.—
Mitch Mitchell,
Forbes,
9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Reaser’s Nora comes off as a shallow woman oblivious of her privilege, which is true but only partly so.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2025
-
When the ocean is relatively calm and shallow, there is also less plankton, sand, particles, and other materials constantly churning in the waves, which gives the water a clearer appearance.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Superficial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superficial. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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