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
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
This midi skirt skims the shins for optimal coverage, and Meghan warmed it up even more with a black sweater.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
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
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
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
This midi skirt skims the shins for optimal coverage, and Meghan warmed it up even more with a black sweater.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skims
Verb
-
This approach flips the old model on its head.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Ronald Martinez / Getty Images But if that umpire calls a strike and the count levels at 2-2, everything flips to the pitcher’s edge.—
Juliette Arcodia,
NBC news,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Roughly 20% of crude and natural gas normally flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which remains all but closed to oil tankers and other shipping traffic because of the war.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
An estimated 9,000 gallons reached the San Diego River, which flows past Dog Beach.—
Point Loma-Ob Monthly,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 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
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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
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At one point, there’s a montage that bounces between Irene practicing at the ballet bar, almost glowing with angelic light, and Soames signing his name onto documents at the office.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
23 Mar. 2026
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The event involves no less than three after-parties, and the film bounces between Nick’s future self and Mike trying to prevent Present Nick from serving him up on a silver platter to Sosa while Jimmy Boy is busy enjoying his newfound freedom to its debauched fullest.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The karaoke worker peeks his head in, tells them to get out.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
-
When Dana peeks in and Robby simply shakes his head no?—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Each treatment requires just three minutes, and the wand’s rotating head easily glides over the forehead, cheeks, under eyes, jawline and neck.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
29 Mar. 2026
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From the world’s vantage point, Los Angeles can look like a place that glides serenely along beneath a beatific sun.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Prince William, meanwhile, only did the cheek kisses to say hello to Queen Camilla.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
18 Mar. 2026
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Inspired, Larry grabs a random woman and kisses her on the mouth.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The show starts with Lauren and Heidi enrolling at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, and Heidi skips class on her first day.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Jenner regularly skips red carpets, quietly attending award show in support of her man.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skims.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skims. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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