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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skimming
That makes the cards, known as the Direction Card of Ohio EBT, more susceptible to skimming technology that steals Ohioans' food benefits.
—
Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Dec. 2025
Alba sent a low cross skimming through the six-yard box, right into the path of winger Tadeo Allende.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
An ideal scenario for the remainder of the year would have the recent choppiness last a bit longer to qualify as a proper scare, skimming the froth off the speculative stuff and resetting expectations in a way that rebuilds investors' capacity to be surprised to the upside.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2025
Cook, partially covered, until the squash is tender, 15 to 20 minutes, skimming the surface of the stock, if necessary.
—Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skimming
Jessie Balmert, Cincinnati Enquirer, 1 Dec. 2025
Alba sent a low cross skimming through the six-yard box, right into the path of winger Tadeo Allende.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
An ideal scenario for the remainder of the year would have the recent choppiness last a bit longer to qualify as a proper scare, skimming the froth off the speculative stuff and resetting expectations in a way that rebuilds investors' capacity to be surprised to the upside.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2025
Cook, partially covered, until the squash is tender, 15 to 20 minutes, skimming the surface of the stock, if necessary.
—Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skimming
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skimming
Verb
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Tire tracks can still be seen leading to a guardrail, which the truck struck before flipping and slamming into the Chestnut Ridge apartment building.—
Mike Darnay,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
In fact, Williams committed to Kiffin (at Mississippi) before flipping his pledge to then-Arizona coach Jedd Fisch in the summer of 2023.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The pennies could start flowing again, perhaps easing a shortage in some markets, after the Federal Reserve announced an upcoming shift in the distribution system of old 1-cent coins.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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Now more diners are flowing through, gazing at the handwritten menu on the wall affixed with neat strips of orange tape, or calling ahead.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Rinse the sink well after brushing your teeth and use a disposable disinfecting wipe to wipe out the sink and clean the faucet hardware quickly.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
1 Jan. 2026
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Unlike the other two new breeds, Bolonki's coats require brushing several times a week to prevent matting.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
My child attended daycare and summer programs at Pillsbury United Communities center just four blocks away, where a multiracial cohort of kids happily play through the winter, swishing around in bulky jackets and snow pants, bouncing towards their parents.—
Bao Phi,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
-
When Servite senior goalkeeper Andrew Lenert was briefly out of position no JSerra player could get a head or foot on the bouncing ball before Servite was able to clear it.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Then the owner would talk to the dog, and mention the toy's name, while glancing down at the bucket.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
8 Jan. 2026
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In response, the actor nodded along, while glancing over to his seatmate DiCaprio.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When the King visited Greenland in April—looking jaunty and at ease while cruising on a fjord with the Prime Minister, and taking a coffee-and-cake break with locals at a cultural center in Nuuk—the contrast with Vance’s gloomy trip couldn’t have been starker.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
11 Jan. 2026
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Calling on Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm, Wrangell, Rudyerd Bay (Misty Fjords), and, finally, Prince Rupert in British Columbia, the itinerary also includes scenic cruising through Stephens Passage, Decision Passage, Stikine Strait, and the Behm Canal.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Kittle included some photos of himself on the field and a picture of his wife, Claire Kittle, kissing him in the locker room.—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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At that moment, kissing somehow felt more intimate.—
Louis Staples,
Glamour,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And is that really such an offense, on par with skipping a wedding?—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
7 Jan. 2026
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This myth costs money because skipping the test means guessing.—
Dr. Avishesh Neupane,
Hartford Courant,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skimming.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skimming. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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