1
2
as in to flow
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
a lone hang glider skimming along just above the treetops
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to brush
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
her hand just barely skimmed the wall as she ran down the hallway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in to peek
to take a quick or hasty look
he impatiently skimmed through the book, looking for the specific passage he remembered seeing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skim
The SpanxSupersmooth SoftStretch Slim Joggers skim the body for a look that’s slightly tailored but still loose.
—
Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2026
Facing charges in connection with the skimming device found in December 2024 are Remus Rosu, 30, and Louisa Unguru, 25.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 6 May 2026
These are bright meteors emerging from the Aquarid radiant that will skim the atmosphere horizontally — much like a bug skimming the side window of an automobile.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 4 May 2026
Nicole Kidman Co-chair and Chanel ambassador Nicole Kidman wore a long-sleeve red paillette gown with a close fit through the torso and a straight skirt that skimmed the floor before pooling into a small train in the back.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for skim
Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2026
Facing charges in connection with the skimming device found in December 2024 are Remus Rosu, 30, and Louisa Unguru, 25.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 6 May 2026
These are bright meteors emerging from the Aquarid radiant that will skim the atmosphere horizontally — much like a bug skimming the side window of an automobile.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 4 May 2026
Nicole Kidman Co-chair and Chanel ambassador Nicole Kidman wore a long-sleeve red paillette gown with a close fit through the torso and a straight skirt that skimmed the floor before pooling into a small train in the back.
—Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for skim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skim
Verb
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But public opinion has flipped since 2023, when Israel, in retaliation for Hamas’s October 7th attack, launched a military campaign in Gaza.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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The actress-turned-media-company owner has long had the grit required to ideate, found, and ultimately sell a near-billion-dollar company that flipped Hollywood’s script on its head.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
17 May 2026
Verb
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For cocktails and nightlife, hit TopGolf or Nola’s for live music then end the night strong with a table at HQ nightclub where resident and guest DJs keep the dance floor bumping and bottle servers keep the bubbly and energy flowing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
-
Together, all of those developments deepened class and regional inequalities, as capital flowed away from workers in the industrial hinterland toward financial centers like New York.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Additional layers are applied to fill gaps and create a smooth surface before a final coat of lacquer is brushed on.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
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Yet younger people may be more likely to brush off shingles symptoms as NBD and have less awareness of what the illness actually is.—
Petra Guglielmetti,
Glamour,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Conversations bounce between English and Spanish.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
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After a childhood bouncing from one abusive foster home to the next, the two have settled into a life together where sisterhood always comes first.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The filmmaker rarely lingers, making brief moments of grace — like Gabrielle peeking in at her mom and stepdad taking a nap — all the more resonant for their evanescence.—
Jon Frosch,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
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The option could appeal to users worried about companies peeking at their sensitive conversations with AI chatbots.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Mountain bikes must glide gracefully through all sorts of abusive terrain; road bikes need to mix high performance with enough comfort to let riders stay in the saddle for hours on end.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
15 May 2026
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Celeste Ecoflyers’ aircraft design emphasizes gliding capability for safe landings even in engine failure, combining low weight with operational robustness.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Even with the windows open all the way, the heat is hugging us, kissing us, pinching our cheeks.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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Do not kiss or snuggle backyard poultry, especially the chicks.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Rusak argued that runoffs favor Paxton because base voters with the strongest attachment to candidates turn out at higher rates, while casual primary voters often skip the second round.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 May 2026
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The decision to continue to skip stops in Haiti comes as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) extended its ban on United States aircraft operating in and around Haiti until September.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skim. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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