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
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Recent Examples of one-dimensional
Lukas is a whirlwind, and while the character is fairly one-dimensional, the actor keeps him consistently fascinating and constantly in motion.
—
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
That’s because Steps centers on Cinderella’s stepsisters, Lilith and Margot, reimagining them as far more than one-dimensional villains.
—Ryan Brennan
april 9, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
And yet, given the technological limitations of the time, Mario mostly remained one-dimensional throughout this period.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2026
Stylist Sue Tyrrell used balayage to bring a client's one-dimensional color back to life.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for one-dimensional
Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 9 Apr. 2026
That’s because Steps centers on Cinderella’s stepsisters, Lilith and Margot, reimagining them as far more than one-dimensional villains.
—Ryan Brennan
april 9, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2026
And yet, given the technological limitations of the time, Mario mostly remained one-dimensional throughout this period.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2026
Stylist Sue Tyrrell used balayage to bring a client's one-dimensional color back to life.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for one-dimensional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for one-dimensional
Adjective
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However, the defense argued that the blood spatter evidence at the scene matched an accidental fall and that Kathleen's scalp lacerations were only superficial and didn't cause her death.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
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More often those concert performances help pump up a flashy, superficial look at an enigmatic artist whose closest connections were of the animal variety (Bubbles gets screen time; ditto a giraffe, a llama and a big snake).—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Genetics might be on Jaafar Jackson’s side, but there’s also tremendous amount of hard work that has gone into this performance, which is technically perfect if a bit emotionally shallow.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
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Maps4Media processed and enhanced Sentinal-2 satellite imagery shows a broad view of the Strait of Hormuz between southern Iran and Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, including surrounding islands, coastal terrain, and turquoise shallow-water zones at the entrance to the Persian Gulf.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“One-dimensional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/one-dimensional. Accessed 30 Apr. 2026.
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