as in exterior
an outer part or layer
the surface of just about everything in the kitchen was covered with soot after we put the grease fire out
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to emerge
to come to one's attention especially gradually or unexpectedly
no information regarding the stolen car has surfaced since the police found it abandoned on a country road
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in superficial
lying on or affecting only the outer layer of something
a surface stain on the wood that can easily be removed with a mild detergent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of surface
Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
Pastorino said collaborators opted to place the carnival rides (like last year) on hard parking lot surfaces (to avoid soggy lawn conditions).
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2025
Angel Saunders, People.com, 22 July 2025
For example, Khanna recommends starting small—like practicing deep, slow breathing when anxious feelings (and the instinct to people-please or withdraw) begin to surface.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 21 July 2025
Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2023
In it were tablets containing concentrated hand soap as well as multi-surface, glass and bathroom cleaners — and four empty containers.
—Susan Shain, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for surface
Noun
On the surface, Flacco would seem to be the frontrunner given his experience and Pickett the backup for the same reason.
—Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
Pastorino said collaborators opted to place the carnival rides (like last year) on hard parking lot surfaces (to avoid soggy lawn conditions).
—Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2025
Verb
When photos of Pedretti and Arnold, now 31, hanging out together surfaced online in November 2021, reps for the stars did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
—Angel Saunders, People.com, 22 July 2025
For example, Khanna recommends starting small—like practicing deep, slow breathing when anxious feelings (and the instinct to people-please or withdraw) begin to surface.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 21 July 2025
Adjective
The battery life alone (23 minutes and 30 seconds) makes this one of the best cordless vacuums, but there are some additional unique features that helped this Eureka multi-surface model stand out to us.
—Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2023
In it were tablets containing concentrated hand soap as well as multi-surface, glass and bathroom cleaners — and four empty containers.
—Susan Shain, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for surface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surface
Noun
-
Nice touches include heated and pivoting front seats, a heated windshield, electric folding exterior mirrors, air-conditioning, an electric sliding door and step, a digital rearview mirror and other great stuff.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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The building's exterior will feature precast panels designed to mimic the rock formations at Mill Bluff State Park. Mill Bluff, part of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, inspired the museum's design after a visit by the architectural team.—
Sofia Joseph,
jsonline.com,
30 July 2025
Verb
-
Research has found that concerns about body image can emerge as early as age 3, and may become worse over time.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
31 July 2025
-
The Mets and Phillies remain in the mix to some extent, but according to a source, the Padres have emerged as the team to watch.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
Verb
-
Sales rose 7% in the second quarter compared with Q2 2024 and 12% in 2025’s first half.—
Jackie Charniga,
Freep.com,
23 July 2025
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Those are the three names president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski mentioned as rising to the occasion in the bullpen when asked earlier on Monday.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
22 July 2025
Adjective
-
The damage looked superficial, while the rider himself was laid-back.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Tiki Bob's closed a few days later following a spate of more violence, but its palm tree sign still hangs on the front of the building.—
Alysa Guffey,
IndyStar,
25 July 2025
-
Stock image: a ghost decoration hanging in front of a house in Kensington Market, Toronto Ontario Canada, taken on October 30, 2024.—
Marni Rose McFall,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Often problems arise from short-term pollution, which can happen during heavy rainfall that washes waste from sewage plants into the water.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
-
When tech issues arise, fingers, by default, point at the IT team.—
Noah Barsky,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
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
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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
Verb
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After someone else tries to break up the fight, the man in the white shirt appears to say something to a man wearing a red shirt.—
Scott Wartman,
The Enquirer,
31 July 2025
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If clouds interfere, skywatchers will have another chance when Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest planets, will appear closely paired in the sky.—
Diana Leyva,
The Tennessean,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.
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