ˈwən-də-ˈmen(t)-sh(ə-)nəl
as in superficial
having or showing a lack of depth of understanding or character
a one-dimensional analysis of a novel that has a lot to say about personal courage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of one-dimensional
This approach creates a harsh, one-dimensional light that does little to open up the space.
—
Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026
Inclusion today is being approached more expansively — across ethnicity, body type and identity — and there’s a growing understanding that beauty isn’t one-dimensional.
—Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Fosse’s focus, Roberts adds, was on avoiding a one-dimensional portrayal of Snider.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2026
All these moments are good for audience groans and there’s an enjoyable bad movie here for the seizing — that is when Cronin isn’t steering the action back to Egypt for an underpowered mystery thread involving a one-dimensional Cairo detective (May Calamawy) pursuing the root of the trouble.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for one-dimensional
Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 23 Apr. 2026
Inclusion today is being approached more expansively — across ethnicity, body type and identity — and there’s a growing understanding that beauty isn’t one-dimensional.
—Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
Fosse’s focus, Roberts adds, was on avoiding a one-dimensional portrayal of Snider.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2026
All these moments are good for audience groans and there’s an enjoyable bad movie here for the seizing — that is when Cronin isn’t steering the action back to Egypt for an underpowered mystery thread involving a one-dimensional Cairo detective (May Calamawy) pursuing the root of the trouble.
—Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for one-dimensional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for one-dimensional
Adjective
-
Then, let the paste sit for a few minutes before scrubbing away with a clean cloth to reveal like-new furniture with no superficial scratches.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
-
What we’re left with is a fairly superficial skate across the surface of the history of American popular song, albeit one that’s quite well sung.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
3 May 2026
Adjective
-
The race there begins somberly in the museum before runners bound up one flight of stairs into a hallway that leads into the main stairwell; from there, the steps settle into continuous, shallow right turns providing a repetitive, hypnotic cadence.—
Michelle Sinclair Colman,
Curbed,
7 May 2026
-
Water sloshed across a shallow, rocky shelf, sweeping away the sediments there, along with the algae that serves as the primary food source for this species.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“One-dimensional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/one-dimensional. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
