shallowness

noun

Definition of shallownessnext
1
as in superficiality

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words
2
as in elevation

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 shallowness That shallowness caused massive destruction within a small area, as well as more than 6,000 deaths. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 10 Aug. 2026 The shallowness of Alter’s pockets will become more painfully exposed by the new collective bargaining agreement, which will exacerbate the spending required simply to field a roster. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026 Turner manages to put across this supreme shallowness with total sincerity. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026 Still, that showiness in dialogue is latched to a shallowness of characterization. — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 29 Jan. 2026 His approach to peacemaking has suffered from an improbable degree of improvisation, exclusion of regional expertise, and consequentially, shallowness and flights of fancy. — Sergey Radchenko, Foreign Affairs, 4 Dec. 2025 The shallowness of the warm top layer would be vulnerable to mixing, as colder, heavy rain fell, driving the shallow water down and the deep water up. — Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025 The resulting film is equal parts shaggy, quixotic road movie and Malickian spiritual ponderance, gazing at the celestial patterns above while also too drunk on them to see the shallowness of their promise. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shallowness
  1. superficiality
  2. elevation
  3. height
  4. altitude
  5. stature
Noun
  • In Los Angeles, that air of superficiality and the exclusivity that comes with it have been magnified, which has been a tough pill for Elizabeth to swallow.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Here, luxury is instead about embracing color and lightness, which, as Italian writer Italo Calvino said, is never superficiality.
    — Valentina Lonati, Architectural Digest, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of superficiality
Noun
  • After winding through an aspen grove, the trail gains close to 3,000 feet of elevation to reach the springs.
    — The Aspen Times, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Higher elevations, including Big Bear and Julian, could get up to an inch and a half of precipitation.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of elevation
Noun
  • Philbrick, a seasoned and popular chronicler of the American past, is equally concerned with those who got trampled by the rush as with those who rode it to astonishing heights of wealth and influence.
    — Richard Kreitner, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Building 1 offers a clear ceiling height of up to 25 feet at the peak, while building 2 provides approximately 18 feet of clear height.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of height
Noun
  • As someone who struggles with the dizzying effects of altitude, I was quickly reminded of Santa Fe’s 7,000-foot elevation.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Wind speeds generally increase with altitude, while higher elevations can also provide more consistent wind conditions.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of altitude
Noun
  • This Olympics-like contest, held in Shanghai this year, has grown in stature and scope over decades.
    — the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Bob is shorter in stature, and in a general-admission crowd, one tall person in the wrong place can alter his entire view.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of stature

Browse Nearby Words

shallowly
shallowness
shallows
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Shallowness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shallowness. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of nexus

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All