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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 seventh full moon of 2025 was one of the lowest-hanging of the year, skimming the southern horizon and setting in the southwest close to sunrise.
—
Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
There’s something wonderfully timeless about pushing off from shore in a canoe as the paddles dip quietly through calm water as dragonflies skim by.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
Unfortunately, many readers may be tempted to skim past it in their rush to the final chapters.
—Arkansas Online, 28 June 2025
After each use, skim out leaves, bugs, and dirt with a small pool net or cup.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for skim
Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
There’s something wonderfully timeless about pushing off from shore in a canoe as the paddles dip quietly through calm water as dragonflies skim by.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
Unfortunately, many readers may be tempted to skim past it in their rush to the final chapters.
—Arkansas Online, 28 June 2025
After each use, skim out leaves, bugs, and dirt with a small pool net or cup.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for skim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skim
Verb
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Relatively quickly, the concern has flipped to the health of those two starters while the reserve corners have played well.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
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Could the Panthers flip one of their players at those positions for a linebacker?—
Mike Kaye
July 30,
Charlotte Observer,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Guitarist Tom Bukovac composed a flowing instrumental riff to open the performance, creating a little extra sweetness that helps hide the passive-aggressive venom.—
Tom Roland,
Billboard,
24 July 2025
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The mountain slopes tend to erode when saturated, especially after wildfires, resulting in potentially deadly debris flows.—
Andrew Freedman,
CNN Money,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Trump, facing outrage from many of his own supporters, has tried and failed to brush off concerns about the case.—
Chantelle Lee,
Time,
29 July 2025
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If there are removable parts, remove them and follow the same steps as above (brush away debris, clean, and disinfect).—
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott,
Southern Living,
25 July 2025
Verb
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Early in Wednesday’s practice, Lloyd bounced outside and ripped off a big run.—
Rob Reischel,
Forbes.com,
23 July 2025
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This is also an excellent time to bounce your ideas for the future off someone to get their feedback.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
19 July 2025
Verb
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When the moon sits in the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, the sun’s rays peek out from behind the moon and give it a reddish hue, according to London’s Natural History Museum.—
Gina Park,
CNN Money,
9 July 2025
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But the tree was perfectly elegant, its green boughs peeking above the low-slung roof covered in traditional gray clay tiles.—
Thessaly La Force,
Travel + Leisure,
4 July 2025
Verb
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Wearing a protective mask after seriously injuring his face during a match in 2021, Victor Osimhen may as well have been gliding around with a cape for Napoli as the club won the Serie A title in 2022/23.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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After four weeks of Venus in your sign boosting your magnetism and charm, Venus now glides into Cancer on July 30th, shifting your attention to security, self-worth, and material comfort.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
27 July 2025
Verb
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After the buzzer sounded, Pope ran over to hug his wife, Lee Anne, and kissed his daughters near the bench before running off to a TV interview.—
Jesse Temple,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
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In the video, baby Sofia can be seen giggling in her bouncer as Ree sings, plays and tickles her, as well as kissing the happy infant, who looks cute in a floral sleeper.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Avoid skipping trims: Cut your hair to retain your growth.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 July 2025
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So, my advice is to skip generic educational content.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skim. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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