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
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2
as in flowing
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
a lone hang glider skimming along just above the treetops
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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
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4
as in bouncing
to strike and fly off at an angle
the rock just skimmed the surface of the water
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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
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Recent Examples of skimming
American Jonathan Jennings achieved the farthest overall distance, skimming his three stones a total of 580 feet.
—
Owen Clarke, Outside, 17 Sep. 2025
Often, that's not what is needed and may disconnect us further from the other by forcing our viewpoint or skimming over the depth of the issue.
—Hylke Faber, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 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
See All Example Sentences for skimming
Owen Clarke, Outside, 17 Sep. 2025
Often, that's not what is needed and may disconnect us further from the other by forcing our viewpoint or skimming over the depth of the issue.
—Hylke Faber, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 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
See All Example Sentences for skimming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skimming
Verb
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The white Chevrolet Silverado, reported stolen earlier from the Flagstaff Police Department, veered onto a guardrail before flipping multiple times and crashing into a tree.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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There were free pouches of pocket pancakes; Brewers manager Pat Murphy showing off his pancake-flipping skills; special guests, including Donald Driver; polka music; pancake artists; a T-shirt giveaway for the first 3,000 fans; and the debut of Murph's Maple Syrup.—
Hannah Kirby,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Based on events and social media posts from recent months, bad blood hasn't been flowing from our side of the street.—
Amanda Hancock,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
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Cohen then took a chainsaw to a small replica of the Pentagon, with fake dollar bills flowing out to symbolize the waste, as people who had gathered there cheered.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Instead, let your hair air dry for 20 to 30 minutes and then use it starting at the root of your hair, brushing in a downward movement.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
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The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to one week; rewarm before tossing or brushing on any protein.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The simplicity is intentional so your eye isn't bouncing, but rather gliding through the room.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Oct. 2025
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Younger testers appreciated the creative putt-and-play system, from bouncing the marble off rocks to spiraling it into fences and bridges.—
Emily Glover,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Miami got back in the game in the 39th minute when Tomás Avilés poked home from a goalmouth scramble after Sergio Busquets’s glancing header from a corner had been parried out by Chris Brady.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Thomas asked, barely glancing up from his Instagram feed.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Instead of a weekend at the beach, cruising to the Caribbean is a tempting possibility for girls’ trips, birthdays, and mini vacations.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
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After Game 1, in which the Padres’ Nick Pivetta was cruising right up until allowing back-to-back home runs, manager Mike Shildt acted decisively yesterday, replacing Dylan Cease after just 69 pitches (and five strikeouts) through 3 2/3 shutout innings.—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Pictures from inside the event showed an unusually effusive Victoria kissing David as her Paris Fashion Week show came to an end.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
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After the screening, video circulated online of the True Blood alum, wearing a white Magliano T-shirt with an image of a boot hovering over a man's outstretched tongue, hugging Pascal and kissing him on the cheek while the cast received a standing ovation at the screening.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For people who live outside of high-risk flood zones, skipping flood insurance and selecting lower-cost add-ons, like sump pump coverage, is routine.—
Tamia Fowlkes,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
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Another pitfall is skipping aftercare instructions and then blaming biology.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skimming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skimming. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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