Entry Word: superficial

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 lying on or affecting only the outer layer of something <a superficial scratch that barely even broke the skin>

Synonyms skin-deep, surface

Related Words depthless, shallow, shoal; two-dimensional

Near Antonyms deep, deep-rooted, deep-seated; subcutaneous, subterranean

2 having or showing a lack of depth of understanding or character <a superficial analysis of how movie and video violence affects young people>

Synonyms facile, one-dimensional, shallow, skin-deep

Related Words cursory, hasty, sketchy; aimless, desultory, haphazard, hit-or-miss, random; limited, narrow, restricted

Near Antonyms discerning, penetrating; definitive, hard; broad, complete, comprehensive, exhaustive, extensive, far-reaching, wide; general, global, inclusive; detailed, in-depth; critical

Antonyms deep, profound