skim

Definition of skimnext
1
as in to flip
to turn over pages in an idle or cursory manner I'll just skim through a few styling magazines and see if something interesting catches my eye

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2
3
4
as in to bounce
to strike and fly off at an angle the rock just skimmed the surface of the water

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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

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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 During many eclipse seasons, the moon merely skims Earth's penumbra and umbra. Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2026 Lui Sarinan, 17, skimmed the job description taped to the plastic folding table. Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026 Bavishi suggested popping a can of coconut milk in the fridge, letting the cream solidify on top, and skimming that off to use as a low-moisture replacement for the evaporated coconut milk. Beth Kracklauer, Outside, 27 Feb. 2026 Recently, Beyoncé debuted a bouncy, jaw-skimming blonde bob that promptly sent the internet into a tizzy. Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for skim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skim
Verb
  • One strong gust of wind can be enough to flip one of these trailers onto its side.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Ohtani flipped his bat, turned to his dugout and pushed his hands forward before rounding the bases.
    Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Take a walk without your phone, letting your ideas flow through your mind naturally.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
  • The hydrogel acts like a containment layer that holds bacteria close to the electrode while allowing liquids to flow through.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • And after rubbing it in and brushing it through, this product leaves virtually no residue or gritty feeling.
    Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save more than 4 gallons of water.
    Claire Osborn, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Leaves dance far overhead on the outstretched limbs of trees older than you, creating a lightshow of sun beams bouncing from cloud to earth and back again.
    Outside Online, Outside Online, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Getting away from the bouncing ball is also essential.
    Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The karaoke worker peeks his head in, tells them to get out.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
  • There are still plenty of wildlife sightings from the canal, gators sprawled out across the limestone and countless eyes peek out of the tea-colored water.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • With Luna gliding into your ever-practical 6th house, you may be tempted to ignore your inner needs in favor of getting as much done as possible.
    Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
  • If pressure from the ultrasound wand causes organs in this area to glide smoothly, that suggests there are no adhesions.
    Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 12 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Fortunately, Brody didn’t try to kiss him — the camera wisely cut away when MBJ gave a shout-out to Halle Berry.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Huge cheers when the two leads first kissed.
    Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Penn also skipped the Academy Award ceremony despite being a nominee in 1996, 2000 and 2002.
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 17 Mar. 2026
  • Staff encourage guests to skip novelty drinks in favor of classic Irish flavors.
    Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Skim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skim. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

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