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
Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
On the surface, this shift has the potential to accelerate China’s ascent as a global power, potentially granting the world’s second-largest economy space to win more allies, boost its global leadership and shift global norms and rules – such as those on human rights or security – in its favor.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
Cale Clinton, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
The Super Bowl invite controversy with the Eagles started on Sunday after reports surfaced that the team would not accept an invitation from Trump to attend the White House, based on the aforementioned article in The Sun.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Feb. 2025
Susan Shain, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023
The sub was fitted with six 533-millimeter torpedo tubes and carried a mix of both anti-surface and anti-submarine weapons.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 23 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for surface
Noun
Because of the absence of liquid water on Mars’s surface today, those rusty red minerals were thought to arise from dry iron oxides present in the dust, such as hematite.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
On the surface, this shift has the potential to accelerate China’s ascent as a global power, potentially granting the world’s second-largest economy space to win more allies, boost its global leadership and shift global norms and rules – such as those on human rights or security – in its favor.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025
Verb
Prior to the 2023 draft, a report surfaced that quarterback C.J. Stroud performed poorly on the exam.
—Cale Clinton, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
The Super Bowl invite controversy with the Eagles started on Sunday after reports surfaced that the team would not accept an invitation from Trump to attend the White House, based on the aforementioned article in The Sun.
—Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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
The sub was fitted with six 533-millimeter torpedo tubes and carried a mix of both anti-surface and anti-submarine weapons.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 23 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for surface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surface
Noun
-
The exterior features a lightweight mesh lining that’s cooling and breathable, while cushioning within the insole improves the alignment of your feet to help eliminate soreness and discomfort.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2025
-
The second floor can be accessed using the exterior staircase.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
6 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Evidence has emerged of the potential speed and usability benefits of having access to real buttons instead of smartphone-like touchscreens.—
Will McCurdy,
PCMAG,
9 Mar. 2025
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Eyewitnesses have accused government supporters of carrying out execution-style killings and video footage has emerged of mass graves.—
Nadeen Ebrahim,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The watch includes a spinning roulette wheel in a 44-mm rose gold case.—
Mikelle Street,
WWD,
28 Feb. 2025
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The shift may not only draw anger from Israel's emboldened far right but also aggravate divisions within Trump's own administration between an old conservative guard seeking a more assertive posture on Iran and the rising cadre of Trump loyalists who more closely share the president's vision.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
There are a couple of superficial parallels to the present day.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2025
-
But her natural effervescence is largely wasted by an execution that’s so painfully superficial the show feels like a parody of itself.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The men have also represented on the fashion front, with the ever-stylish Colman Domingo and the singular Jeremy Strong among the nominees.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
2 Mar. 2025
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The screen can then be folded in half horizontally to create two screens — one on the front and one on the back.—
Arjun Kharpal,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But the problem on the tour most likely wouldn’t have arisen in Illinois, whose legislators noticed a problem and addressed it.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2025
-
The reason why this distinction between common and statutory law matters, at least to Jackson, is because the concept of aiding and abetting arises out of the common law.—
Ian Millhiser,
Vox,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Alcantara’s body was found Thursday stuffed in a suitcase in a shallow creek in a Yonkers park off the Saw Mill Parkway, four days after she had been reported missing.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2025
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This could lead to flash flooding, shallow debris flows over vulnerable burn scars, isolated rockslides, and hazardous travel conditions due slick roads.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The downside, warn many of the officials who appear in Disclosure, is that keeping this information secret and compartmentalized within the government and the military industrial complex could result in an intelligence failure exponentially worse than what happened with 9/11.—
Johnny Dodd,
People.com,
8 Mar. 2025
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That appeared to have been the start of a wider onslaught by Assad loyalists, who launched coordinated attacks on government positions in the country’s northwest, killing and imprisoning members of the security forces.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to surface
Cite this Entry
“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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