1
as in flips
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flows
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
a lone hang glider skimming along just above the treetops
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in brushes
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in peeks
to take a quick or hasty look
he impatiently skimmed through the book, looking for the specific passage he remembered seeing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of skims
The Netflix documentary, however, skims over the life stories of Wuornos' victims, focusing instead on telling the story from her perspective.
—
Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
There is voice-over used to info-dump about plot points that would otherwise be unclear, a lengthy montage that skims multiple days of the story, and an opening framing device that was clearly hastily crafted to try to justify why The Rats now comes after The Witcher season four, not before.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
But even that skims past a lot of interesting stuff.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2025
The modal-cotton blend is supersoft yet not see-through, and the slim cut skims the body for a flattering fit.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2025
The planing hull, of course, means the vessel rises up and skims over the water, rather than plowing through waves.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2025
Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025
There is voice-over used to info-dump about plot points that would otherwise be unclear, a lengthy montage that skims multiple days of the story, and an opening framing device that was clearly hastily crafted to try to justify why The Rats now comes after The Witcher season four, not before.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
But even that skims past a lot of interesting stuff.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2025
The modal-cotton blend is supersoft yet not see-through, and the slim cut skims the body for a flattering fit.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2025
The planing hull, of course, means the vessel rises up and skims over the water, rather than plowing through waves.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skims
Verb
-
Byrne's take on the song features different production and flips some of the lyrics to reflect his perspective as a 73-year-old man.—
Jack Irvin,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Every once in a while, Earth's magnetic field flips.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Walk through the front door and the layout flows uninterrupted into multiple living areas highlighted by warm cherry wood accents, fine architectural details and an abundance of natural light.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Each actress nails the comedic timing – and the accented English that flows with the cadence of their mother tongues.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
If the doctor brushes you off or looks at their watch, get a new doctor!—
Kat McGowan,
NPR,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Continue reading … NO LAUGHING MATTER – White House brushes off SNL season premiere, calling show 'waste' of time.—
,
FOXNews.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the whiplash is real as the movie bounces from feel-good numbers in the Neil Diamond songbook to just utter heartbreaking tragedy.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
23 Dec. 2025
-
Davis, wearing a particularly Bo Peep-y set of pink panniers, turns the character into a masterpiece of clownery, sulking delightfully and throwing magnificent tantrums while her arrangement of topknots—the hair designer is Robert Pickens—bounces on her head like a prize curly lamb.—
Helen Shaw,
New Yorker,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In particular, viewers have commented on Father Duplenticy's neck tattoo, which ever so slightly peeks from out his clerical collar.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
18 Dec. 2025
-
Laura's Homemade pasta and happy hour specials stand out at Laura's, a favorite sunset spot with a waterfront dining room that peeks over the waves in Port Elizabeth.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The gel texture glides on smoothly, lathers into a plush foam, and rinses clean without leaving skin feeling tight.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
1 Jan. 2026
-
Infused with sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, and vitamin E, the formula glides onto the skin with ease.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
These are distinctly American, Texan to be specific, where they’re called shrimp kisses.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
One woman kisses her granddaughter for the last time; another meets hers for the first.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The grand jury indictment means the former fire chief’s criminal case skips the preliminary hearing phase and moves directly to trial.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
So if Harbaugh skips town to the Buccaneers, who would be Cam Ward?—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skims.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skims. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share