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
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Recent Examples of skims
Not only is the staple fabric always comfortable, but the midi silhouette skims the shins for optimal coverage.
—
Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Many are nothing more than tiny dots of color that a distracted eye skims right over.
—Alissa Greenberg, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
This list merely skims the surface of the buildings worth seeing in Italy’s national capital.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Pond skims a rite of spring Spring skiing can be variable.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
During many eclipse seasons, the moon merely skims Earth's penumbra and umbra.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2026
That startup success story often skims over the franchise’s original struggles to launch, including its years-long quest for a suitable new stadium.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 5 Dec. 2025
For a storm to happen, Earth has to pass through a dense part of the comet’s debris during perihelion, but sometimes our planet only skims the outskirts.
—Gina Park, CNN Money, 16 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
Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Many are nothing more than tiny dots of color that a distracted eye skims right over.
—Alissa Greenberg, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
This list merely skims the surface of the buildings worth seeing in Italy’s national capital.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Pond skims a rite of spring Spring skiing can be variable.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 18 Mar. 2026
During many eclipse seasons, the moon merely skims Earth's penumbra and umbra.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 27 Feb. 2026
That startup success story often skims over the franchise’s original struggles to launch, including its years-long quest for a suitable new stadium.
—Scott Soshnick, Sportico.com, 5 Dec. 2025
For a storm to happen, Earth has to pass through a dense part of the comet’s debris during perihelion, but sometimes our planet only skims the outskirts.
—Gina Park, CNN Money, 16 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skims
Verb
-
The unjust taking flips the relationship between the government and the individual that the American ideal established.—
Robertas Bakula,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
-
One is instantaneous, the brain just flips into unrecognizable thoughts, and the other is a deterioration over time.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In contrast, natural gas is cheap, abundant, and already flows through an extensive pipeline network across the country.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Velvet, marble, and brushed brass elevate the experience and the same dramatic palette flows through the corridors and into the bathrooms which come with Le Labo toiletries and a ready-to-use steam iron fitted onto the wall—an idea that won my heart.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tokyo Stylez, Cardi’s hairstylist, brushes out a sleek brown hairpiece, and Erika la’ pearl, her makeup artist, dabs at Cardi’s face while the rapper scrolls through her phone, controlling the music.—
Jazmine Hughes,
Allure,
24 Mar. 2026
-
When some chime in to say their doctors had been cautiously optimistic about treatments, Sarah brushes that aside.—
Gerald Witt,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The older one bounces his Spalding off the brick walls; the younger one digs his fingers into the box of corn flakes for the plastic prize.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Ulloa bounces between a linear, historical telling of the political, economic and racial shifts in the area and the personal accounts of five families from the region, including her own.—
Carlos De Loera,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Her blond wig is piled sky-high, and her still-hourglass shape peeks through a marabou and chiffon peignoir.—
Tony Bravo,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The karaoke worker peeks his head in, tells them to get out.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As the late '70s disco hit Stayin' Alive fills the Addison dance studio, instructor Maya Apodaca glides across the floor.—
Robbie Owens,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
As the inspirational Moon glides into your 7th House of Allies, your expressive nature invites connection, and your generous spirit lightens tough conversations.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The neighborhood/area The resort kisses the outskirts of what’s considered Boca Raton’s downtown.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Apr. 2026
-
As Josh is being arrested, Lindsay hops over the police barrier and passionately kisses him goodbye.—
Skyler Trepel,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At home, Marino skips the mayo altogether and mixes his tuna with olive oil, fresh tomatoes, and basil.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Sharpen and clean your tools This is the task almost everyone skips — and almost everyone regrets skipping.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skims.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skims. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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