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
However, this superficial analysis fails to account for the company’s transformation narrative.
—
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Lewis’s superficial attack abets the know-nothing Trump Administration, which spurns cooperative allies and rational arrangements.
—Harper’s Magazine, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
The victim only suffered superficial cuts and refused medical assistance on the scene.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 2 July 2025
These outcomes reflect the program’s focus on authentic skill development rather than superficial exposure.
—Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for superficial
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Lewis’s superficial attack abets the know-nothing Trump Administration, which spurns cooperative allies and rational arrangements.
—Harper’s Magazine, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
The victim only suffered superficial cuts and refused medical assistance on the scene.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 2 July 2025
These outcomes reflect the program’s focus on authentic skill development rather than superficial exposure.
—Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for superficial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superficial
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
-
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
Adjective
-
In general, the shape and design of the skillet and sauté pan are similar to the broad and shallow dimensions of All-Clad pans.—
Wilder Davies,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
30 July 2025
-
Once a tsunami reaches shallow water, its wave speed slows to about 20 to 30 miles per hour, but the speed of water below the wave increases.—
Michal Ruprecht,
NPR,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Superficial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superficial. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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