on the surface

phrase

: to all outward appearances

Examples of on the surface in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While no produce wash—including this one, vinegar, or baking soda—can eliminate Cyclospora, thoroughly washing your produce can help reduce dirt and contamination on the surface. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 July 2026

For Douglas Gordon and Hélène Grimaud’s tears become … streams become …, a pair of pianos rested on the surface of an immense black reflecting pool, doubling the vault in an apparently bottomless interior. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 29 July 2026

The British are very polite on the surface and very reticent to say things. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 July 2026

That discipline shows up in how the company distinguishes between ideas that look similar on the surface. — Shelley E. Kohan, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Rhymes for on the surface

• hypersurface
• undersurface
• resurface
• subsurface