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
Although this topical version doesn’t deliver the same intensely rejuvenating, literally skin-deep benefits as the injectable, the Rejuran Turnover Ampoule is a great, more affordable option for those who are needle-shy.
—
Devon Abelman, Allure, 11 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for skin-deep
Devon Abelman, Allure, 11 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for skin-deep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skin-deep
Adjective
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The damage looked superficial, while the rider himself was laid-back.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
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Unfortunately, many of these individuals are disillusioned with the traditional path and are enticed by the allure of fast money, luxurious lifestyles, and superficial beauty without any effort or hard work.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Tsunami Risks With a relatively shallow depth of 20.7 km (13 miles), the earthquake on Wednesday, July 30 was always going to create such tsunami risks, experts said.—
David Stanway,
USA Today,
30 July 2025
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Deformation of the Okhotsk microplate generates shallow crustal earthquakes within 20 kilometers, while slip at the subduction zone interface between the Pacific and North America plates generates megathrust earthquakes that extend to depths of 40 to 60 kilometers.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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With modern farming, and its use of pesticides and herbicides, surface microbial communities often suffer.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
21 June 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Skin-deep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skin-deep. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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