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
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
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
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
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
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Having to earn almost every point on her serve via a rally flips her from being in an advantageous position to a near 50-50 situation.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
28 Jan. 2026
-
During that film's climactic biplane battle between Cruise's Ethan Hunt and Esai Morales' villainous Gabriel, Cruise dangles mid-air from a seatbelt as the plane flips upside down.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Capital flows into Africa have slowed drastically after some seismic shifts.—
Alexis Akwagyiram,
semafor.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Tucked on a hillside in the Rustic Canyon neighborhood, the house floats above a natural spring that flows through the property, resting on six concrete columns sunk 30 feet into the ground.—
Jack Flemming,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Elizabeth Scott brushes off the comparison.—
Karissa Waddick,
USA Today,
23 Dec. 2025
-
If someone does bring up his teary picture, Wallake brushes it off.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
21 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The light bounces beautifully off these golden-brown nails by Scarleth, and the almond shape is the cherry on top.—
Jacqueline Kilikita,
Refinery29,
15 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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While the snap was taken from inside her car, the outside of her home peeks out in the background, revealing its rustic stone facade.—
Natalia Senanayake,
PEOPLE,
31 Jan. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The novel is written in close third person, but the point of view glides freely among the characters, which allows Bainbridge to manipulate the reader’s sympathies by rendering Stella and the rest of the cast from inside or outside, depending on what will make each scene work.—
Christopher Tayler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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In addition to the soothing and anti-aging ingredients, the serum has a lightweight gel texture that glides onto the skin and absorbs quickly, too.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Assertively claim your space while Mars kisses Pluto in the skies.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
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But then, blonde-haired Ryan (Stacy Clausen) kisses Naim (Joe Bird) while pinning him down on the ground.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Ben Johns generally skips indoor events such as these, while Anna Leigh Waters chose to only play Women’s Doubles here.—
Todd Boss,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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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,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skims.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skims. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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