1
as in superficial
lying on or affecting only the outer layer of something
fortunately, the cut was only skin-deep
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shallow
having or showing a lack of depth of understanding or character
the book provides some interesting anecdotes but only offers a skin-deep analysis of the events it chronicles
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skin-deep
The comparisons were more than skin-deep: the researchers used gravity data to take a peek underground.
—
Elise Cutts, Scientific American, 13 May 2025
However, despite some fancy camera work and close-ups, this production only goes skin-deep.
—Christian Lewis, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
There, Snow White finds new purpose and fortitude in not only her new friends but also in her journey to find her father after he is dumped by her horrible stepmother, who is only concerned with skin-deep beauty.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025
However, the company’s ambitions extend far beyond skin-deep applications.
—WWD, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skin-deep
Elise Cutts, Scientific American, 13 May 2025
However, despite some fancy camera work and close-ups, this production only goes skin-deep.
—Christian Lewis, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
There, Snow White finds new purpose and fortitude in not only her new friends but also in her journey to find her father after he is dumped by her horrible stepmother, who is only concerned with skin-deep beauty.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025
However, the company’s ambitions extend far beyond skin-deep applications.
—WWD, 14 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skin-deep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skin-deep
Adjective
-
Camacho’s sister, who placed the 911 call, had also been injured, suffering superficial cuts and bleeding from her mouth, officials said.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
This is not the time for superficial love.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The wreckage is slowly being subsumed by the reef in the shallow blue waters of the tropical lagoon, but its story is far from over.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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The following morning, their dead bodies were found in a shallow ditch.—
Equal Justice Initiative,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This ultra-lightweight (under 7 lbs) vacuum delivers Shark’s most powerful multi-surface suction for deep cleaning carpets and hard floors alike.—
Adam Mills,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
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Note that the multi-surface file, scissors and saw join the blade on the outside of the closed Alpha body, accessible without opening the plier handles.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skin-deep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skin-deep. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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