1
2
as in to flow
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
a lone hang glider skimming along just above the treetops
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to brush
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
her hand just barely skimmed the wall as she ran down the hallway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in to peek
to take a quick or hasty look
he impatiently skimmed through the book, looking for the specific passage he remembered seeing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 skim
In 2017, a previous version of the car skimmed a cyclist in London, leading to some bad press, so this latest iteration has been programmed not to overtake cyclists, horse riders, or anything slow-moving on the road.
—
Carlton Reid, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The right dresses will skim over your body without clinging.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
But Andreeva was already racing to the right spot, and flicked a forehand that skimmed the net at a sharp angle.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
Most of the Wildcats’ most incisive passes skimmed across the turf, immune to the same gusts that could knock a long ball off-course in the air.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skim
Carlton Reid, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The right dresses will skim over your body without clinging.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
But Andreeva was already racing to the right spot, and flicked a forehand that skimmed the net at a sharp angle.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
Most of the Wildcats’ most incisive passes skimmed across the turf, immune to the same gusts that could knock a long ball off-course in the air.
—Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skim
Verb
-
In Quebec, the Liberals are forecast to flip 11 seats from the Bloc Québécois, while the Conservatives are only expected to win one.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Once finished, flip through the book to see the character move.—
Sherri Gordon, CLC,
Parents,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The rich sat on deck while the poor were squeezed in the hold below, with no place to relieve themselves, so excrement, vomit, and other wastes flowed down into the lower areas.—
Lauren Vuong,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The liquor flows so freely that the rest room nearly becomes a vomitorium.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
For example, brush your teeth with the opposite hand, take a new route to work or order a new dish.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Once released, the curls are gently brushed out for a soft, voluminous effect, and sealed into place with a setting spray.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Carrying enough momentum, the wheel hit the rear of Suárez's car, bounced, and hit the gas man lightly.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Even if the ping-pong balls don’t bounce their way, a very good prospect will be there for the taking.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Orange indicates starlight peeking through the dust: bluer wavelengths are blocked by dust, leaving only the redder light to shine through.—
Robert Z. Pearlman,
Space.com,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Because Shakespeare’s characters typically wrestle with agency, Parent’s production is playful in new ways — fate doesn’t have to dictate outcome, expectations can be defied, tragedy can peek out from behind comedy.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Fifteen speakers lurk behind acoustic fabric; nine sit directly behind a woven French Screen Research surface that lets full-range frequencies glide through untouched.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
-
The stick itself also glides onto the skin very easily without slipping or getting caught in drier or harder-to-reach areas of the face.—
Danielle Jackson,
Glamour,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Other sweet shots include Harley kissing her fiancé in his arms, and two celebratory engagement cakes.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
24 Mar. 2025
-
In the video, baby Sofia can be seen giggling in her bouncer as Ree sings, plays and tickles her, as well as kissing the happy infant, who looks cute in a floral sleeper.—
Becca Longmire,
People.com,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Millet plays with the title and with the idea of atavism, in which an ancient trait asserts itself by skipping forward a few generations to suddenly appear in the gene pool.—
Heather Scott Partington,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Shark is hosting an epic sale with discounts across its most popular models, and these deals up to 51% off are too good to skip.—
Megan Schaltegger,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skim. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share