as in exteriors
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 emerges
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of surfaces
Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
In recent years, many people have shifted their flooring preferences to harder surfaces, like wood, tile, and stone.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 3 Apr. 2026
The closure — and accompanying lane reductions on East Seventh Street — are part of an ongoing project of safety improvements, updating outdated utilities, road surfaces and sidewalks.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 3 Apr. 2026
The finding could overturn decades of thinking suggesting that pulsars only blast beams of radiation from close to their surfaces and at their poles.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
The goal is to prove that aircraft can be controlled without traditional moving surfaces.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
For example, milk can be contaminated by manure or environmental filth, infections of the udder such as mastitis or from surfaces during the milking process.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
The Moon and Mars lack magnetic fields, so radiation levels on their surfaces are substantial.
—Scott Solomon, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Use grills or smokers only on gravel or paved surfaces.
—Brandi D. Addison, Des Moines Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
The only reliable draft intel typically surfaces the week of the draft, like Will Campbell being the Patriots’ top target last season.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The warning at the entrance was preceded by a towering statue of Pazuzu, a Mesopotamian demon-god that surfaces in Gorillaz videos and art at times.
—Peter Larsen, Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
According to Thea Gallagher, clinical psychologist and associate professor at NYU Langone Health, this moment often surfaces realities that were easy to ignore during the parenting years.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 10 Feb. 2026
The hardships sparked mass emigration and economic collapse, leaving an even deeper mark — one that still surfaces in quiet dinners with strangers like us.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
After the game, Durant acknowledged the heightened physicality and intensity that typically surfaces as the season progresses.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 25 Jan. 2026
The tracker pings location data whenever the shark surfaces, revealing the animal’s movements and migration patterns.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
Military chronographs in particular played a role in his early thinking about watches—something that surfaces, albeit subtly, in the tactical, all-black aesthetic of the Big Bang.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 19 Jan. 2026
Noun
However, as mattresses age and their materials break down, uneven sleeping surfaces and poor support can force your body into unnatural positions, often leading to stiff, sore or achy joints in the morning.
—Sharon Brandwein, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
In recent years, many people have shifted their flooring preferences to harder surfaces, like wood, tile, and stone.
—Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 3 Apr. 2026
The closure — and accompanying lane reductions on East Seventh Street — are part of an ongoing project of safety improvements, updating outdated utilities, road surfaces and sidewalks.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 3 Apr. 2026
The finding could overturn decades of thinking suggesting that pulsars only blast beams of radiation from close to their surfaces and at their poles.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 3 Apr. 2026
The goal is to prove that aircraft can be controlled without traditional moving surfaces.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026
For example, milk can be contaminated by manure or environmental filth, infections of the udder such as mastitis or from surfaces during the milking process.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026
The Moon and Mars lack magnetic fields, so radiation levels on their surfaces are substantial.
—Scott Solomon, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
Use grills or smokers only on gravel or paved surfaces.
—Brandi D. Addison, Des Moines Register, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
In the later drafts, the psychological consequences were what felt important—each fantasy surfaces another warped representation of her grief.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
The only reliable draft intel typically surfaces the week of the draft, like Will Campbell being the Patriots’ top target last season.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 29 Mar. 2026
The warning at the entrance was preceded by a towering statue of Pazuzu, a Mesopotamian demon-god that surfaces in Gorillaz videos and art at times.
—Peter Larsen, Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
According to Thea Gallagher, clinical psychologist and associate professor at NYU Langone Health, this moment often surfaces realities that were easy to ignore during the parenting years.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 10 Feb. 2026
The hardships sparked mass emigration and economic collapse, leaving an even deeper mark — one that still surfaces in quiet dinners with strangers like us.
—Marlise Kast-Myers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026
After the game, Durant acknowledged the heightened physicality and intensity that typically surfaces as the season progresses.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 25 Jan. 2026
The tracker pings location data whenever the shark surfaces, revealing the animal’s movements and migration patterns.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 22 Jan. 2026
Military chronographs in particular played a role in his early thinking about watches—something that surfaces, albeit subtly, in the tactical, all-black aesthetic of the Big Bang.
—Oren Hartov, Robb Report, 19 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surfaces
Noun
-
Car fans and potential buyers can spend hours appreciating exteriors and experiencing interiors of new vehicles.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Those shallow sides let hot air from the oven circulate and crisp the ingredients’ exteriors.—
Cathy Thomas,
Oc Register,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In this season’s conversations with writers—who all listen to the institute’s archival sound of writers across decades—a new theme emerges.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Growth emerges through both solitude and participation, and the works reflect this tension.—
Olga Garcia-Mayoral,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Or, put another way on all fronts, this ain’t 2023.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Now, as the climate warms and farmers face new challenges on all fronts, the state is investing nearly $40 million to update and expand one of the agency’s laboratories in Windsor.—
Angela Eichhorst,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
And the hourly fee — ranging from $135 to $185 — doesn’t start until the need for help arises.—
Terry Savage,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
In the Hebrew Bible’s narrative in Exodus, Moses arises as a leader of the Israelites and a prophet of God.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Spatial disorientation occurs when sensory information from the inner ear provides a powerfully misleading sensation of up and down.—
Jeff Wise,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
-
When Catholic, Protestant, evangelical and independent congregations work together, something unusual occurs.—
Michael J Christensen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But, for now, some leaders remain worried about what happens next.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
-
What happens if the launch is delayed?—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The video ends as the driver retrieves what appears to be a firearm from the street, before both men climb back onto the scooter and ride off-screen.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The president's decision to address the nation comes as public support for the conflict appears limited.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surfaces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surfaces. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
