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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in flows
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
a lone hang glider skimming along just above the treetops
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skims
This silk dress from Reformation has an elegant, flowy silhouette that skims the top of your toes.
—
Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skims
Verb
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The movie flips the perspective to the teacher and follows an entire day.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Saturday, though, the script flips and Louisville wins by 4 points.—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Air flows through modular containers filled with these coated filters.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
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Although SoCal Edison can prevent electrical fires by shutting off the power that flows through the lines, the utility did not turn the power off to most circuits that power Altadena.—
Chiara Eisner,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But on the day of Dale’s memorial, everyone brushes their hair, puts on the right clothes, and plays big, grieving family.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
24 Sep. 2025
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Despite the mess in her apartment, the man, like everyone else in her life, brushes off her fears as the exaggerations of an overactive imagination.—
Marya E. Gates,
IndieWire,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the Blue Jays broadcast team stated, the ball bounces in fair territory and then proceeds to go over the base.—
Drew VonScio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
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The same applies if a ball is kicked into the end zone and then bounces out of bounds.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jana then pans over all the decorations on display in their waterfront rental as the vibrant blue ocean peeks out in the background.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
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Though the city skyline peeks out above the custom privacy screens, the terrace feels like you’re enveloped among nature.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The spacecraft ignites its onboard rocket motor, powering its own way to suborbital space, then glides back down for a runway landing here on Earth.—
Mike Wall,
Space.com,
23 Sep. 2025
-
There is a First World War U-boat that somehow glides from underneath Lake Michigan all the way to Croatia, commandeered by its captain, post-Armistice, for new and clandestine uses.—
Kathryn Schulz,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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From loving social media posts to kisses on the red carpet, Urban and Kidman appeared head-over-heels for each other.—
Brendan Le,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
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The hugs, kisses and belly rubs are not ending for Sgt.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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,
2 Oct. 2025
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Rag & Bone Miramar Sweatpant Jeans This Rag & Bone pair skips real zippers and buttons for a pull-on waistband.—
Jeaneen Russell,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skims.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skims. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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