shallow 1 of 2

shallow

2 of 2

noun

as in bank
usually shallows plural a place where a body of water (as a sea or river) is shallow we waded through the shallows looking for tadpoles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective shallow contrast with its synonyms?

The words cursory and superficial are common synonyms of shallow. While all three words mean "lacking in depth or solidity," shallow is more generally derogatory in implying lack of depth in knowledge, reasoning, emotions, or character.

a light, shallow, and frivolous review

In what contexts can cursory take the place of shallow?

While in some cases nearly identical to shallow, cursory suggests a lack of thoroughness or a neglect of details.

gave the letter only a cursory reading

When is it sensible to use superficial instead of shallow?

The synonyms superficial and shallow are sometimes interchangeable, but superficial implies a concern only with surface aspects or obvious features.

a superficial analysis of the problem

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 shallow
Adjective
Taking walks with a man under the glitter of moonlight bouncing off a shallow stream of water offers no romance. David John Chávez, Mercury News, 21 June 2025 The Yankee Stadium crowd booed loudly as Gary Sanchez cruised into first base with a single into shallow center field. Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 21 June 2025
Noun
Chase ran away from Surtain on the shallow cross for a third-down conversion. Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 28 Dec. 2024 Dine directly in the water at Secret Beach, where a stretch of crystal-clear shallows and sand lined with lively beach bars feels anything but secret. Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 2 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shallow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shallow
Adjective
  • By proactively identifying and mitigating potential data pitfalls and by diligently implementing these four key strategies, product strategy teams can transition from having a superficial reliance on data to a deep and comprehensive mastery of it.
    Ramalakshmi Murugan, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • Yet the superficial script lets the actors and crew members down.
    Stephen Farber, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025
Noun
  • Obviously, other nations would like to see that, and this is a perfect way to scuttle the USS America on the shoals of Iran.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 June 2025
  • Other nations would like to see that, and this is a perfect way to scuttle the U.S.S. America on the shoals of Iran.
    Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 June 2025
Adjective
  • Dresses, skirts, wide-leg silhouettes, pantaloons—all are great options for allowing what few breezes pass through the city to access, uh, restricted areas.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 24 June 2025
  • The Heat can begin negotiating with guard Davion Mitchell, who is set to become a restricted free agent this offseason.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • In a survey of 56 analysts across the bank, covering roughly 1,200 firms worth over $38 trillion in market cap, roughly 60% said production will continue to move back to the U.S.—at least modestly—if tariffs remain high.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 27 June 2025
  • Investment bank Jefferies' quarterly results missed analysts' forecasts.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Ultimately, the app's cross-platform availability, nifty AI tools, and smooth sharing features earn it our Editors' Choice award for photo editing.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 25 June 2025
  • Building on the smooth R&B of her 2016 fan-favorite Lauren EP, Just Keke finds its narrative anchor in spoken word interludes that emphasize the album’s overarching variety show concept.
    Kyle Denis, Billboard, 25 June 2025
Adjective
  • With modern farming, and its use of pesticides and herbicides, surface microbial communities often suffer.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 June 2025
  • Storms are the most common cause of lightning, but lightning strikes have been observed in volcanic eruptions, surface nuclear detonations and during heavy snowstorms even.
    Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 2 Aug. 2024
Noun
  • Dining Malú is the resort’s all-day Mediterranean dining option, and El Shack bar is the place to sip the resort’s signature craft cocktails.
    Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • Hartford Courant Thomas, 32, has been trying to recapture his game and, like all of the top golfers in the world, trying to approach the outrageously high bar set by Scheffler, who has been No. 1 in the world for more than 100 weeks.
    Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Shallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shallow. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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