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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of surface
Reuters, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
Short sellers are easing off broad wagers against the software sector after a bruising winter slump, but positioning in several individual stocks suggests bearishness is still running rampant below the surface.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
The video that surfaced last week stemmed from a February 2023 incident in which Paul was charged with assault, criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Destroyer Squadron 15 said the war game improved overall interoperability among the four forces in advanced maneuvering scenarios, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, information sharing and maritime operations.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surface
Noun
Repurposing the craft for a lunar surface base is not simple.
—Reuters, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
Short sellers are easing off broad wagers against the software sector after a bruising winter slump, but positioning in several individual stocks suggests bearishness is still running rampant below the surface.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
Nostalgia may surface with little warning, so honor it with a small ritual, then return to practical care.
—Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2026
The video that surfaced last week stemmed from a February 2023 incident in which Paul was charged with assault, criminal mischief and domestic violence in the presence of a child.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
The proposal includes a tennis center with multi-surface courts, hotels, water polo facilities, retail, a wellness center and stadium to host soccer matches.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Destroyer Squadron 15 said the war game improved overall interoperability among the four forces in advanced maneuvering scenarios, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, information sharing and maritime operations.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surface
Noun
-
The poster for Norwood Park features the distinctive, colorful exterior of the Superdawg drive-in hot dog stand.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Following his March 18 arrest in Arkansas on a warrant out of Bay County, Florida, a police investigation of the couple’s home reportedly found that the locks to the bedrooms were on the exterior of the doors, according to a source close to the family who spoke with People.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There’s also no radiation emerging from it at all, either.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Two unarmed guards emerged from the facility and told the protesters to leave.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the meantime, the Bay Area will stay dry on Thursday with a notable warming trend as temperatures rise back into the 80s across the interior, with a more muted warmup (into the 70s) closer to the water.—
Greg Porter,
San Francisco Chronicle,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Tensions rose, neighbors said, to the point that King was heard at times swearing at Kirsten Wells as well as others using vulgar epithets.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
For now, at least, that defense is mostly superficial.—
Gaby Del Valle,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Mar. 2026
-
These smaller, superficial doses can help minimize the appearance of pores, reduce oiliness, soften fine lines, and create a smoother overall finish without freezing your facial movements.—
Jenny Jin,
Allure,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And best of all, in my opinion, the old Writers Bar, which was barely a bar at all and hardly worth writing about, has been shifted to the front of the main building, greatly expanded and transformed into one of the most charming bars in a city that is full of charming bars.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Ray has been with the Panthers for three seasons, and the staff digs his ability to rotate into the front.—
Mike Kaye
March 26,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Protests arose throughout Iran; Haghighi recorded a video in support of the protesters.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The dispute arose after Cole filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which triggered an automatic stay—a legal protection that prevents creditors from seizing property while bankruptcy proceedings are ongoing.—
CBS News Atlanta Staff,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Stir together flour, cornstarch, black pepper, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper in a separate shallow bowl.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Ladd created one party closet from a long, shallow closet with bi-fold doors.—
Kelley Bruss,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Multiple Waymo vehicles also have appeared on social media as stopping traffic or dropping people off in the wrong locations.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
How March meteors compares to previous years Large fireball incidents appear to have increased considerably in the first quarter of 2026.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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