surface 1 of 3

noun

ˈsər-fəs How to pronounce surface (audio)
Definition of surfacenext
as in exterior
an outer part or layer the surface of just about everything in the kitchen was covered with soot after we put the grease fire out

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

surface

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to emerge
to come to one's attention especially gradually or unexpectedly no information regarding the stolen car has surfaced since the police found it abandoned on a country road

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2
as in to rise
to penetrate the surface (as of water) from below a submarine surfaced on the starboard side of the aircraft carrier

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

surface

3 of 3

adjective

as in superficial
lying on or affecting only the outer layer of something a surface stain on the wood that can easily be removed with a mild detergent

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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 surface
Noun
If using a grill, place them on the outer edges where the surface is less hot. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026 That makes acoustic sensing one of the most important tools for finding objects beneath the surface. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
Then the news surfaced that the Panthers planned to sign tight end Darren Waller; also concerning. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2026 Reports have surfaced this week of mental health concerns aboard the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln as its crew endures more than 200 days without a port call during operations against Iran. — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
After Friday’s 50-minute practice session — the Cup cars’ only time on the track before Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race — drivers were united in their concerns about the multi-surface circuit’s lack of grip, tight walls and fears of a high attrition rate in Sunday’s 75-lap feature. — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2026 Further, healthy conflict serves to challenge assumptions, surface unintended consequences and improve strategic judgment. — Terina Allen, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for surface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surface
  1. exterior
  2. emerge
  3. rise
  4. superficial
  5. front
  6. arise
  7. shallow
  8. appear
Noun
  • Additionally, the exterior of this cooker ran a little hot without any kind of plastic base or foot between it at the countertop.
    — Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In terms of construction, the exterior is envisioned in either fiberglass or aluminum.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of exterior
Verb
  • Cardiff, the compact capital of Wales, has undoubtedly emerged as one of the most exciting urban centers in Britain.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But instead of making personal expertise the bottleneck through which every decision must pass, the leader creates a structure in which collective intelligence can emerge.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of emerge
Verb
  • The footage mixes high-speed chases and explosive action with comedic beats, framing a story built around chaos, mismatched heroism and rising stakes as the mission unfolds.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
  • With five minutes of task-specific data and 10 gradient steps, its average success rate rose to 83%.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of rise
Adjective
  • Without that foundation, increasingly sophisticated tools may simply scale superficial thinking.
    — Connie Etemadi, Freep.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Without that foundation, AI initiatives risk becoming superficial overlays on legacy infrastructure not designed to support them.
    — William Jones, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of superficial
Noun
  • The tension between them comes to a head after the two arrive in Nebraska and begin investigating a school shooting that Hal believes is a front for aliens.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Johnson played on the edge in three-man fronts, a shift from how his career started as the final pick in the 2023 draft.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of front
Verb
  • The working-out of that vision, by way of experience that arises from her sudden change of circumstances, is the movie’s emotional and intellectual heart, its main line, abstract in form but altogether concrete in the decisions that result.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026
  • In his view, many teens are approaching these chatbots for emotional support, but problems arise because these products were not intended for that purpose.
    — Alex Hartman, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of arise
Adjective
  • Last year, the park said the plane now rests at shallower depths that do not require technical dive expertise.
    — Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Doubters in shallow formats, however, are sure to suffer an unwanted sting.
    — Brad Evans, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of shallow
Verb
  • Another explanation is that there could be changes over time in diagnosis and reporting, or there could be other biological factors underlying why this condition appears to be increasing.
    — Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Downsizing With brands like Slate entering the market, automakers appear to be hearing the call for cheaper options.
    — Beth Livesay, AJC.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of appear

Phrases Containing surface

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surface
surfaced
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Cite this Entry

“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of surface for Spanish Speakers

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