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
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 skim
Local nonprofits focused on issues from homelessness to domestic violence faced harsh cuts that, in some cases, mean skimming down their workforce.
—
Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
That bill, House Bill 436, gives a pathway for emergency services to withdraw from urban renewal agencies, which skim new revenue from rising property values and new development and uses that money to help fund more projects.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 13 June 2025
For most locations, the upper limb of the moon will skim to within about 20 arc minutes (one-third of a degree) of Mars.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 June 2025
The sixth full moon of 2025 rose farther to the southeast than at any time since 2006, skimming the southern horizon and setting in the southwest.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for skim
Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
That bill, House Bill 436, gives a pathway for emergency services to withdraw from urban renewal agencies, which skim new revenue from rising property values and new development and uses that money to help fund more projects.
—Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 13 June 2025
For most locations, the upper limb of the moon will skim to within about 20 arc minutes (one-third of a degree) of Mars.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 13 June 2025
The sixth full moon of 2025 rose farther to the southeast than at any time since 2006, skimming the southern horizon and setting in the southwest.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for skim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skim
Verb
-
As this tragedy unfolds, every stone should be flipped to find ways to prevent such horrific loss of life.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
6 July 2025
-
Video showed masses of children, many in shorts and flip flops or barefoot, standing in an indoor basketball gymnasium.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
6 July 2025
Verb
-
Both the Sai and the Kok rivers flow into the Mekong, as does the Ruak, where unsafe levels of arsenic have also been found.—
Michael Sullivan,
NPR,
12 July 2025
-
The death toll has rose to over 120 people killed since heavy rainfall overwhelmed the Guadalupe River and flowed through homes and summer camps in the early morning hours of July 4.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
Martz brushed off the remark and Bertram took him back to his office.—
Tony Cook,
IndyStar,
2 July 2025
-
Fixing leaks, turning off the faucet while brushing your teeth, installing water-efficient appliances and running full loads of laundry all help reduce water use.—
Claire Marks,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Verb
-
Amazon $350 Target Sony’s hallowed WH-1000XM4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) headphones have been bouncing up and down in price since the XM5 was released.—
Simon Hill,
Wired News,
11 July 2025
-
Choi sees a larger change coming to smartphones in the future that involves relying on AI agents to accomplish tasks, like watching a movie, sharing a recipe or booking a vacation, instead of bouncing between apps.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
When the moon sits in the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, the sun’s rays peek out from behind the moon and give it a reddish hue, according to London’s Natural History Museum.—
Gina Park,
CNN Money,
9 July 2025
-
But the tree was perfectly elegant, its green boughs peeking above the low-slung roof covered in traditional gray clay tiles.—
Thessaly La Force,
Travel + Leisure,
4 July 2025
Verb
-
Sci-fi speedboats gliding above the water, backed by a rotating cast of celebrities.—
Kanzah Maktoum,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
-
But Ontario International Airport came in at No. 15, Hollywood Burbank Airport is at 14, John Wayne Airport landed at No. 12, and Long Beach Airport glided in at No. 2.—
Jim Radcliffe,
Oc Register,
27 June 2025
Verb
-
In the video, baby Sofia can be seen giggling in her bouncer as Ree sings, plays and tickles her, as well as kissing the happy infant, who looks cute in a floral sleeper.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
24 Mar. 2025
-
After the buzzer sounded, Pope ran over to hug his wife, Lee Anne, and kissed his daughters near the bench before running off to a TV interview.—
Jesse Temple,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Most experts recommend skipping lead paint removal and instead opting for encapsulation, so your safest bet may be to score the paint enough to open the window without removing it altogether.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 July 2025
-
The ball skipped under the glove of Cleveland Guardians pitcher Kolby Allard.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skim. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share