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
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Recent Examples of skim
Equally rugged adventure possibilities come via adventure packages offered by local outfitters that put you straight on the river or skimming over the canopy with no need for additional planning.
—
The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025
Uranus retro here is like the teacher who pushes you to stop skimming the book and actually read it.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025
Topping that list in the current catalog is a $75,000 golf cart hovercraft for skimming over fairways, bunkers and water hazards alike.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Effortlessly chic and elegant, the French bob is slightly textured and blunt at the ends, which skim just above the top of her shoulders.
—Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skim
The Editors, Outside, 31 Aug. 2025
Uranus retro here is like the teacher who pushes you to stop skimming the book and actually read it.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 31 Aug. 2025
Topping that list in the current catalog is a $75,000 golf cart hovercraft for skimming over fairways, bunkers and water hazards alike.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
Effortlessly chic and elegant, the French bob is slightly textured and blunt at the ends, which skim just above the top of her shoulders.
—Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 26 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skim
Verb
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Georgia has emerged as one of the nation’s most pivotal battlegrounds, flipping to President Joe Biden in 2020 and back to Trump in 2024, and delivering Democrats two Senate seats, even as Republicans have held the governor’s mansion for over two decades.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
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The flip-up straw makes for easy sipping, and the lid closes with a snap to prevent accidental leaks.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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An inner radiative zone (makes up 70 percent of the Sun by radius), where energy flows smoothly and the whole region spins together like a solid ball, and the outer convective zone (the remaining 30 percent), where hot gases swirl chaotically and spin at different speeds depending on location.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Sep. 2025
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Many of the most bullish bitcoin traders and investors have predicted the bitcoin price will climb at a faster rate when the Fed does begin to lower interest rates, something that encourages cash to flow more quickly through the economy.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The sharp-yet-flexible points and buildable tint leave behind a trio of micro-fine strokes that, when brushed along your arches, blend seamlessly with your natural hairs.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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While the crumb tray is drying, use the pastry brush to brush away any crumbs on the interior of the toaster and on the heating elements.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The same applies if a ball is kicked into the end zone and then bounces out of bounds.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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The researchers were able to glean more information about the event by analyzing the gravitational waves – distortions in space-time caused by powerful cosmic events – produced as the black hole bounced away from the site of its parents' rendezvous.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Fans also claimed to have seen Swift’s mother, Andrea, and her brother, Austin, peeking through the barrier as well.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
15 Sep. 2025
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My trusty spreadsheet peeked at a Zillow report tracking total home values for the year ending in June and the pandemic era — February 2020 through June 2025.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Particularly when set to the Maybach-only suspension/powertrain calibration, the car just glides even over the horrible roads of Southern California.—
Mark Ewing,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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The feeling of gliding through the water, along with the sense of flow and focus, keeps her coming back to the lanes.—
Cindy Kuzma,
SELF,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This is why airports should look at robotaxis as a savior, to be given first access, even ahead of private drivers, rather than things that get pushed to a kiss-and-fly station.—
Brad Templeton,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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But if the bullpen can't get its act together by October, the Dodgers will soon be kissing their chances at a repeat championship goodbye.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At its event this week, Apple skipped some key details that could affect your decision.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
11 Sep. 2025
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Speedrunners have also found some arcane sequence skips to get around certain bosses or methods for putting off some boss fights until later than the developers intended.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skim. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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