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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skimming
Cruise down Market Street—skimming past buzzing tech hubs—while your autonomous vehicle conquers steep hills and tight turns with uncanny precision.
—
Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Get the pancakes after skimming up the mountain.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 19 Jan. 2026
Its light wash and frayed raw hem look reminds me of the pair the lifestyle guru wore, and the ankle-skimming length is great for showing off a cute pair of sneakers, booties, or slip-on sandals.
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
Jenner’s almost molten looking, body-skimming column dress featured liquidy copper sequins all over, cut with a plunging neckline and sculptural halter straps that crisscrossed at the collarbone to frame the décolletage.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skimming
Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Get the pancakes after skimming up the mountain.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 19 Jan. 2026
Its light wash and frayed raw hem look reminds me of the pair the lifestyle guru wore, and the ankle-skimming length is great for showing off a cute pair of sneakers, booties, or slip-on sandals.
—Averi Baudler, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
Jenner’s almost molten looking, body-skimming column dress featured liquidy copper sequins all over, cut with a plunging neckline and sculptural halter straps that crisscrossed at the collarbone to frame the décolletage.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for skimming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skimming
Verb
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On the other side of the aisle, a crowded field of Democratic candidates has already emerged in the hope of flipping the seat in the general election.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
4 Feb. 2026
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In down-ballot state races, the shifts have been even wider, with Democrats flipping eight state legislative seats across five states and Republicans flipping none.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In Paris, Robbie slipped into a custom Chanel couture gown made of luxurious red velvet, with a corseted bodice, bustle, and flowing train—a piece that looks right off the set of the forthcoming film.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
3 Feb. 2026
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New forecasts show a disrupted — and potentially split — polar vortex could keep Arctic air flowing south well into March after a mid-February stratospheric warming event.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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From brushing ice in curling to flying down an ice track headfirst in skeleton, the Winter Olympics are home to some unique and exciting sports that feature uncommon vernacular.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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His wife of fifty years, Mona, who was seated beside him, emerged from the wreck shaken but seemingly unharmed, brushing off a small bump on her brow.—
Shannon Taggart,
Artforum,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The lawsuit alleges the day care left the infant unattended in a bouncing chair and was severely injured by an older child.—
Maria Salette Ontiveros,
Dallas Morning News,
24 Jan. 2026
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Garrett is a fun and lively boy with a big personality who loves bouncing on the trampoline and playing outdoors.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For much of the New Deal legislation passed, the executive branch drafted the legislation and sent it to Congress, which approved it after glancing at it — or not looking at all, Yoo said.—
Mikayla Bunnell,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2026
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The space weather center warns that the material could bring possible glancing influences that could cause weak power grid fluctuations.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In his final home start of the season, on Labor Day, the Giants scored six runs on Dollander in five innings, cruising to an 8-2 win.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2026
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That the two companies use the Orient Express name is a source of confusion Barletta has aimed to untangle through his train cruising model.—
Adam Erace,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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They were spotted kissing and dancing at Gator’s just hours before the arrest, as seen in video obtained by TMZ.—
Jami Ganz,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Noone admitted in court to touching the teen inappropriately by rubbing and grabbing the teen’s butt, kissing her arm and rubbing her thigh, according to the Times.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Skip-gen vacations Skip-gen travel is an emerging trend where grandparents and grandkids vacation together while skipping the generation in between.—
Kathy Boardman,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
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With this trending movement, many are skipping new purchases in favor of borrowing, thrifting, and sharing.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skimming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skimming. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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