Synonyms of skimming

skimming

verb

present participle of skim

1

as in flipping

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flipping
• scanning
• riffling
• leafing
• thumbing
• browsing
• dipping
• looking over
• glancing (at)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• studying
• poring (over)

2

as in flowing

to move or proceed smoothly and readily

a lone hang glider skimming along just above the treetops

Synonyms & Similar Words

• flowing
• cruising
• gliding
• drifting
• sailing
• sliding
• brushing
• sweeping
• slipping
• rolling
• flying
• speeding
• streaming
• racing
• coasting
• rushing
• breezing
• whisking
• bowling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• struggling
• floundering
• stumbling
• trudging
• shuffling
• plodding
• limping
• lumbering
• stamping
• laboring
• stomping
• tramping
• toiling
• shambling
• stumping

3

as in brushing

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

• brushing
• kissing
• touching
• shaving
• nudging
• scraping
• caressing
• grazing
• missing
• patting
• stroking
• bumping
• skipping
• sweeping
• contacting
• glancing
• swiping
• striking
• bouncing
• fondling
• sideswiping
• ricocheting
• cuddling
• petting
• rebounding
• loving
• skirting
• caroming

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• hitting
• knocking
• bumping
• slapping
• slamming
• crashing
• punching
• impacting
• impinging
• smashing
• smacking
• banging
• swiping
• colliding
• whacking
• ramming
• bashing
• clashing
• thudding
• thwacking

4

as in bouncing

to strike and fly off at an angle

the rock just skimmed the surface of the water

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bouncing
• skipping
• glancing
• rebounding
• brushing
• ricocheting
• raking
• caroming
• sweeping
• bumping
• shaving
• contacting
• hitting
• grazing
• kissing
• nudging
• reflecting
• touching
• sideswiping

5

as in glancing

to take a quick or hasty look

he impatiently skimmed through the book, looking for the specific passage he remembered seeing

Synonyms & Similar Words

• glancing
• peeking
• browsing
• dipping
• glinting
• scanning
• glimpsing
• squinting
• peeping
• raking
• perusing
• keeking
• looking over
• blinking

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• staring
• gazing
• examining
• studying
• surveying
• questioning
• viewing
• overlooking
• overseeing
• peering
• prying
• leering
• gawking
• goggling
• ogling
• rubbernecking

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of skimming

Earlier test flights ventured no farther than the Indian Ocean halfway around the world, often crashing in flames and briefly skimming space. — Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

The earlier test flights ventured no farther than the Indian Ocean halfway around the world, often crashing in flames and briefly skimming space. — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Her signature raven hair was back to almost hip-skimming length. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 26 Sep. 2026

Then the foils lifted free, and the ship took to the sky, gliding low over the water like a pelican skimming the waves. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 23 Sep. 2026

Meanwhile, those with a more feminine sensibility will find more versatility in a streamlined waist-skimming cut. — Alison Syrett Cleary, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026

The wispy brow-skimming strands cover still cover the forehead while blending seamlessly into her tousled waves thanks to face-framing layers that fan out toward her cheekbones. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2026

The comedian paired the sleek heels with the Shani Shemer Nola Maxi Dress, a smooth black slipdress with thin spaghetti straps and a floor-length, body-skimming silhouette. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

The shin-skimming silhouette offers great coverage for formal events, while the pleats hide pesky lines. — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2026