1
as in superficial
lying on or affecting only the outer layer of something
fortunately, the cut was only skin-deep
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shallow
having or showing a lack of depth of understanding or character
the book provides some interesting anecdotes but only offers a skin-deep analysis of the events it chronicles
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skin-deep
Anyone else is likely to emerge unharmed, if a little bewildered that these good-looking but skin-deep figures merited feature treatment.
—
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
More central than the gross-out factor is a wry statement of disability pride, a reminder that swagger needn’t be skin-deep.
—Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
The best Korean sunscreens are among our absolute favorite sunscreens, and the reasons are beyond skin-deep.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 3 Jan. 2025
Little touches like these marry the hotel group’s Asian roots to London thoughtfully and beautifully, but beauty here is more than just skin-deep.
—Laura Ratliff, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skin-deep
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
More central than the gross-out factor is a wry statement of disability pride, a reminder that swagger needn’t be skin-deep.
—Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
The best Korean sunscreens are among our absolute favorite sunscreens, and the reasons are beyond skin-deep.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 3 Jan. 2025
Little touches like these marry the hotel group’s Asian roots to London thoughtfully and beautifully, but beauty here is more than just skin-deep.
—Laura Ratliff, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skin-deep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skin-deep
Adjective
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In both cases, the criticism is not completely superficial.—
Ellen Cushing,
The Atlantic,
14 Apr. 2025
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The two who were shot suffered what police called superficial wounds and were hospitalized for their injuries.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In another shallow dish whisk together egg and 2 Tbsp.—
Erin Hooker,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Apr. 2025
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The earthquake had a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (about 6 miles), according to the United States Geological Survey, with its epicenter about 40 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of Istanbul, in the Sea of Marmara.—
Suzan Fraser,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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When values fail to align, problems surface, even in organizations committed to developing leaders through coaching.—
Mitch Mitchell,
Forbes,
9 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Skin-deep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skin-deep. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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