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
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
The center also detailed how on Friday a team had spotted the whale in shallow water off the west side of Holgate, where the whale then appeared to be beached on a sandbar.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
Dusted with crushed coral and powdered shells, the beaches of Los Roques—scattered like pearls across Venezuela’s Caribbean coast—offer sheets of talcum-white sand that dissolve into aquamarine shallows.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shallow
Adjective
After draining stops, place the pot in a saucer or shallow dish filled with water for 30 minutes.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2025
The center also detailed how on Friday a team had spotted the whale in shallow water off the west side of Holgate, where the whale then appeared to be beached on a sandbar.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
The next year on the housewives’ Florida trip, though, Gina got so wound up by the thought of sharks and whales lurking in the shallows that when a l’il sharky actually showed up she was reduced to a shaking, crying mess.
—Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 22 Aug. 2025
Dusted with crushed coral and powdered shells, the beaches of Los Roques—scattered like pearls across Venezuela’s Caribbean coast—offer sheets of talcum-white sand that dissolve into aquamarine shallows.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shallow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shallow
Adjective
-
These behaviors weren’t just superficial.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
However, the shooting was unsuccessful and Alex suffered only superficial wounds.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Days later, China’s powerful State Council declared a nature reserve over much of the shoal, drawing protests from both Manila and Washington over the unilateral move.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
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Analysts have said Beijing’s plan to categorize the shoal as a nature reserve amounts to trying to take the moral high ground in the dispute over the atoll, known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Leroy and his friend Pauly Russo (Rudy Mancuso) immediately notice the numerous restricted areas, which appear to interfere with sacred Indigenous grounds.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
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The process typically lasts only a few minutes per sheep and is done at least once a year to prevent health complications such as overheating, flystrike, and restricted movement caused by excess wool growth.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Other banks on the deal included BOC International, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China and China Merchants Bank.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
28 Oct. 2025
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And on a barge with 30 elephants on the bank and the sun setting and birds flying over and hippos in the water.—
Daniela Avila,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Most of the frog’s body is smooth, while the sides, throat, chest and stomach have some small bumps, according to the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
24 Oct. 2025
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That means official inflation readings may be smoother than the real-world volatility consumers experience, particularly for categories where local price swings or shortages matter most, such as in beef prices.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
In addition to the Tomahawk cruise missile, the Typhon missile system can launch the Standard Missile-6, which has a range of 290 miles and is designed to conduct anti-air and anti-surface warfare operations as well as ballistic missile defense missions.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
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That, though, would be a gross misestimation of a car that is a complete sub-surface reinvention in the Blue Oval’s pursuit of the ultimate track horse.—
Tim Stevens,
Robb Report,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The family—an ambivalent institution bar none—shapes us, and yet our individuality resists that shaping.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
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Speaking of which, the neighborhood—considered one of Chicago’s hippest—is a cultural hub with renowned restaurants, funky cafes and trendy bars.—
Gabriela Ulloa,
Architectural Digest,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shallow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shallow. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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