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
Sam Kriss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
It’s made from synthetic materials, leather and mesh, and the outer sole has several rubber studs to give you a good grip on artificial surfaces.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
Riley Jones, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
Personal details surfaced occasionally, but for the most part, the hookups and family ties were portrayed at arm’s length.
—Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 24 Feb. 2026
Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Note that the multi-surface file, scissors and saw join the blade on the outside of the closed Alpha body, accessible without opening the plier handles.
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surface
Noun
Afterward, the entire surface of the earth is tiled with data centers as the alien intelligence feeds on the world, growing faster and faster without end.
—Sam Kriss, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
It’s made from synthetic materials, leather and mesh, and the outer sole has several rubber studs to give you a good grip on artificial surfaces.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
In-hand images of the ’26 version have yet to surface, but the ’16 iteration appears here courtesy of GOAT.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 25 Feb. 2026
Personal details surfaced occasionally, but for the most part, the hookups and family ties were portrayed at arm’s length.
—Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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
Note that the multi-surface file, scissors and saw join the blade on the outside of the closed Alpha body, accessible without opening the plier handles.
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surface
Noun
-
Whether enjoyed during Purim or another time of year, these cookies offer up a sweet and ever so slightly salty flavor with a nice crispy exterior and a somehow simultaneously flaky and cakey interior.—
Marianne Williams,
Southern Living,
25 Feb. 2026
-
To capture the character’s duality – a polished professional exterior masking profound inner darkness – the actress made deliberate physical and psychological adjustments during production.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cost-of-living concerns are driving voter preferences, with affordability emerging as a defining issue that could shape the election.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The 1992 campaign that represented the emerging preeminence of the Baby Boom generation was the same one dogged by rumors of an affair with Gennifer Flowers.—
STEVEN SLOAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The report estimates that the average selling price of smartphones will rise 14% this year to an all-time high of $523, while manufacturers will no longer be able to make phones that cost less than $100.—
Wayne Chang,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Style it with sneakers and a crossbody bag for long travel days, or swap in sandals and sunnies when temperatures rise.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Many employers otherwise perform only superficial efforts at verification of legal status of employees, confident that enforcement agencies will target laborers, not management.—
Federico Peña,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
-
But a superficial comparison between Delta, United, and American across certain headline metrics can be deceiving.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Arteta influence Saka’s form in the back end of this season will be integral to his side’s push on all four fronts.—
Aleks Klosok,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Many of them were recruited online, lured by promises of steady pay, legal residency, or educational opportunities — offers that often disappear upon arrival at the front.—
Yinka Adegoke,
semafor.com,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Much like snowballs are composed of clusters of snowflakes, planetesimals likely arose within the disks of dust that encircled the newborn sun from clouds of pebble-sized objects pulled together by their mutual gravitational attraction.—
Charles Q. Choi,
Space.com,
26 Feb. 2026
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Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to these Official Rules and/or the Contest shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association.—
CBS News Philadelphia Staff,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While these unusual animals are the island’s main draw, don’t forget to leave without taking a dip in the clear water or snorkeling around its shallow shores.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Feb. 2026
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But many locals want to see the entire area — including its islands, wetlands and shallow bay flats — left untouched.—
Ryan Ballogg
Updated February 26,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Other images appeared to show Kim Ju Ae, wearing a leather jacket, observing through binoculars as her father took a shot, and helping present the rifles to others at the event.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
-
However, Anthropic appears financially stable enough to walk away from the $200 million government contract.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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