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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skin-deep
Consumers are realizing that beauty isn’t skin-deep.
—
Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for skin-deep
Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for skin-deep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skin-deep
Adjective
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Still, the researcher Shaoyu Yuan thinks that even superficial trends like Chinamaxxing may serve an unexpected purpose.—
Ashish Valentine,
NPR,
13 Mar. 2026
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Currently, the simulator cannot train clinicians to diagnose superficial endometriosis.—
Tanya Lewis,
Scientific American,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Here, expect uncluttered communal spaces and kids splashing in the suitably shallow terrace pool (which is well appreciated in a city where temps regularly exceed 95°).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Mar. 2026
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The Spartans have relied heavily on their starting five all season due to the injury bug, which has left their bench as shallow as two deep late in recent games.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Ultraviolet light from its host star triggers the creation of sulfur dioxide in the upper atmosphere, and a massive sub-surface magma ocean acts as a buffer, storing and releasing volatile gases over billions of years.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Mar. 2026
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Spray the multi-surface cleaner onto a damp cloth.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skin-deep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skin-deep. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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