1
as in shoal
lacking significant physical depth
the dog quickly dug a shallow hole that was barely deep enough to accommodate his bone
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in superficial
having or showing a lack of depth of understanding or character
he was a shallow person who rarely cared about anything but his earthly possessions and keeping up appearances
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shallow
Becca Blond, AFAR Media, 26 May 2025
Most trees in shallow soils or soils with a high water table that limits root growth are also likely to blow over during hurricane winds.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025
Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Prayer, much like the shallow pretenses of political reform, always felt like a way to avoid people like Ganny indefinitely.
—Joseph Earl Thomas, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shallow
Adjective
Smathers Beach, Florida Smathers is Key West’s largest beach, a half-mile stretch of soft sand and calm, shallow water ideal for swimming and sunbathing.
—Becca Blond, AFAR Media, 26 May 2025
Most trees in shallow soils or soils with a high water table that limits root growth are also likely to blow over during hurricane winds.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025
Noun
Not only are camels strolling along the shore, but flamingos are also wading in the shallows right next to them.
—Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Prayer, much like the shallow pretenses of political reform, always felt like a way to avoid people like Ganny indefinitely.
—Joseph Earl Thomas, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shallow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shallow
Adjective
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Stick’s good feeling is not just superficial, either.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
5 June 2025
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People expect brands to understand them—not in a superficial, segmented way, but in a way that mirrors the nuanced complexity of their lives.—
Vibhor Kapoor,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
Noun
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And for decades, every attempt to create legal access has foundered on the rocky shoals of property rights and lumbering bureaucracy.—
Jessica Garrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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For any shipping hub to flourish in the early days of Great Lakes maritime trade, lighthouses were needed to warn mariners of shoals, and welcome boats to critical harbors which still dot the lakes.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The 6-foot-8 pro, still just 22, will be a restricted free agent this summer.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
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The fact Robertson is a restricted free agent, with arbitration rights, could make trading him a tad more difficult.—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Noun
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Fortner pleaded guilty in February to bank robbery.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2025
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The podcast had been on hiatus since the pair reported to prison in January 2023 to serve time after being indicted on 12 counts of bank and wire fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy in August 2019 and found guilty in June 2022.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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The steering was responsive in my time in neighborhoods, shopping districts and along wide, smooth roads that curved between corporate campuses and public parks.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
2 June 2025
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How to Use: Start with a fresh canvas—exfoliate the day before to sweep away dead skin and prep for a smooth, even glow.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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When values fail to align, problems surface, even in organizations committed to developing leaders through coaching.—
Mitch Mitchell,
Forbes,
9 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Specifically, sales of protein drinks increased 20 percent, while bars and snacks increased 28 percent at the retailer, per the report.—
Emily Burns,
Footwear News,
9 June 2025
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The boutique hotel has a rooftop bar and an eight-slip marina.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
8 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shallow. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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