1
2
as in to flow
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
a lone hang glider skimming along just above the treetops
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to brush
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
her hand just barely skimmed the wall as she ran down the hallway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in to peek
to take a quick or hasty look
he impatiently skimmed through the book, looking for the specific passage he remembered seeing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skim
Cook, partially covered, until the squash is tender, 15 to 20 minutes, skimming the surface of the stock, if necessary.
—
Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
According to Oza’s analyses, the erupting orb would have to be within one planetary radius of WASP-39b—practically skimming the planet’s cloud tops.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2025
One of them skimmed past Joonas Korpisalo after deflecting off Tanner Jeannot.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
The modal-cotton blend is supersoft yet not see-through, and the slim cut skims the body for a flattering fit.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skim
Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
According to Oza’s analyses, the erupting orb would have to be within one planetary radius of WASP-39b—practically skimming the planet’s cloud tops.
—Nola Taylor Tillman, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2025
One of them skimmed past Joonas Korpisalo after deflecting off Tanner Jeannot.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
The modal-cotton blend is supersoft yet not see-through, and the slim cut skims the body for a flattering fit.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skim
Verb
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Voters will decide whether to pass Proposition 50, a ballot initiative redrawing California’s congressional districts to flip five House seats from Republican to Democratic in next year’s midterms.—
Lia Russell,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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In August 2020, five orcas chased a juvenile white shark, pushed it to the surface, and flipped it onto its back.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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As Snell continued to tire and miss his spots, Toronto’s opportunities kept flowing.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Drawings of the Duffield Cave, as seen in the YouTube video, show that the section has a narrow entrance, then curves upward before flowing left, dropping down again and bending right before angling back up to a larger chamber.—
Mark Gray,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Use your hands to brush off or shake excess soil from the roots.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
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The skewers of meat brushed with soy and roasted over coals on Belém’s streets arrived with Japanese migration to the region from the 1930s onward.—
Michael Snyder,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The barrel spun toward shortstop as the ball bounced to Mookie Betts, who grabbed it in stride, stepped on second for one out and fired to Freddie Freeman to end the season.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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As the sun sets, the room bounces in the light of flickering tapers, dripping wax in shades of merlot and blush down to their vintage saucers.—
Lyndsay C. Green,
Freep.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Behind those waiting along the driveway, a tan fence concealed the demolition of the East Wing, though a yellow bulldozer peeked out over the top.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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Even her glam, by makeup artist Soo Park, centered around this rose color, including a barely-there nude lip with just a hint of rosy pink color peeking through.—
Ana Serrano,
Glamour,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Porter, who was wearing forest-green DaddyGoFish waders, glided into the waist-deep rapids and walked a line between them, periodically dipping small plastic bottles into the water and then depositing them into a mesh bag.—
Katie Thornton,
New Yorker,
24 Oct. 2025
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Other mammals — like flying squirrels and flying lemurs — can only glide, despite their names.—
Kirsten Fiscus,
Nashville Tennessean,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is pressing charges against a man who was caught on camera touching and attempting to kiss her during a public appearance on Tuesday.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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In a separate celebratory speech that evening, the pair shared another sweet moment at the podium in which Mamdani kissed her on the cheek.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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For frequent flyers, saving an hour (and skipping the chaos of baggage claim) feels nothing short of revolutionary.—
Maddie Hiatt,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Oct. 2025
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More than 20% reported skipping meals entirely to make ends meet.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skim. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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