on the surface

phrase

Synonyms of on the surfacenext
: to all outward appearances

Examples of on the surface in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
What looks like a client service issue on the surface is often revealing something more fundamental underneath. — Deepa Tailor, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026 Adhesive residue or minor paint damage can occur depending on the surface and how long the panels stay up. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2026 Start with a deep clean to get rid of grease and grime, then address any stains or scratches on the surface. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2026 Serves and forehands and backhands have to find tiny spots on the surface. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for on the surface

Rhymes for on the surface

See All Rhymes for on the surface

Browse Nearby Words

on the supposition that
on the surface
on the table
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“On the surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20surface. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on on the surface

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for on the surface

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of empirical

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All