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

Designed with an ankle-skimming cut and a center seam, the flattering silhouette helps elongate the legs for a streamlined look. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026

The agency and law enforcement partners have noticed an increase in skimming activity in the past two years. — Laura Geller, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

British Columbia Wildfire Service spokesperson Nicole Bonnett said the smoke lingering over the fire has reduced visibility, limiting the use of air tankers and water-skimming aircraft. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026

The mid-thigh-skimming length provides plenty of coverage without showing too much skin — even for mature women, according to a reviewer. — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026

Ab-baring crop tops are a sexy way to balance a floor-skimming hemline. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 30 July 2026

The spider strainer has multiple other uses, including separating the whites and yolks from uncooked eggs, letting spaetzle dough drip through to create the noodles, skimming stock and broth, or even draining pasta. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 30 July 2026

Juxtapose a body-skimming black pair with an oversized leather bomber for an ’80s-does-2020s look. — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 28 July 2026

The law enforcement teams searching Arkansas businesses also gave out educational materials to help business owners identify skimming devices, the release states. — Grant Lancaster, Arkansas Online, 27 July 2026