on the surface

phrase

: to all outward appearances

Examples of on the surface in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The latest updates on retail sales show that household spending remains strong, on the surface. — ABC News, 23 Oct. 2026

But there's still plant life to be found, especially around the Hoanib River, an ephemeral river that only flows on the surface following heavy rain—though water persists underground both in the river and in springs. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Oct. 2026

While on the surface every day looks the same, 850mb temperatures show a difference of around 4°C from yesterday through Friday. — Ron Smiley, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Instead, use a gentler formula like Sprayway’s foaming cleaner, wipe with a soft microfiber cloth, and never apply a solution directly on the surface. — Kelsey Mulvey, Architectural Digest, 20 Oct. 2026

Rhymes for on the surface

• hypersurface
• undersurface
• resurface
• subsurface