1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

skin 1 of 2

noun

ˈskin How to pronounce skin (audio)
Definition of skinnext
1
as in exterior
an outer part or layer space-age materials used on the skin of the aircraft

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pelt
the outer covering of an animal removed for its commercial value hats made from beaver skins were once fashionable

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in leather
the hairless natural covering of an animal prepared for use calfskin gloves

Synonyms & Similar Words

skin

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to peel
to remove the natural covering of I prefer not to skin potatoes before mashing them

Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to sting
to rob by the use of trickery or threats got his revenge on the dirty swindler who had skinned him

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to cream
to defeat by a large margin we simply got skinned in the interoffice softball tournament

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 skin
Noun
While the Grain and Texture controls are relatively minor camera tools, some fans were excited to use the new templates to add further texture to skin in photos featuring people or to change the look of the grain in a landscape image. — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 Keep scrolling to see the nine 2026 Best of Beauty winners that dermatologists recommend for mature skin. — Marci Robin, Allure, 22 Sep. 2026
Verb
The general public is advised to avoid close contact with armadillos, including handling, skinning or eating. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 29 July 2026 The few survivors found work herding and skinning the cattle that had overrun their former hunting grounds. — Literary Hub, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for skin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skin
  1. exterior
  2. pelt
  3. leather
  4. sting
  5. cream
  6. surface
  7. fur
  8. coat
Noun
  • When you thaw meat at room temperature, the exterior can warm up into this zone while the interior is still frozen.
    — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Zook Cabins The exterior is finished in LP lap siding, with cedar shake accents, plus a metal roof.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of exterior
Noun
  • In a letter to Defence Minister Luke Pollard this week, 18 MPs and one member of the House of Lords urged the government to stop using bear pelts sourced from legal culls in Canada and instead adopt faux-fur alternatives.
    — James Frater, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The new policy prohibits fur from animals killed specifically for their pelts, including mink, fox, rabbit, chinchilla and coyote.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of pelt
Noun
  • Find inspiration from New York Fashion Week street style and pair red pieces together, like a bold red skirt with a burgundy leather jacket and matching earrings.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The shoes feature a classic round toe design, a Texas Rose leather sole and a leather insole embossed with the Paris Texas logo.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of leather
Verb
  • In the rare instances people have spotted, these birds avoid getting stung by smashing the wasps on the ground to break the stingers before finishing their meal.
    — Sean Donnelly, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2026
  • The pain of losing Hollywood actor Heath Ledger nearly 20 years ago still stings for his on-screen Dark Knight family.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of sting
Verb
  • The two dishes that have remained on its menu are its the lumache alla norcina (Barham’s sausage with mushrooms, white wine and cream $23) and the spicy vodka radiatori (creamy stracciatella and Parmesan for $21).
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2026
  • This time the Panthers surpassed that point total in a single game, but lost anyway because their defense got creamed.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of cream
Noun
  • This is barely a description of what actually happens, but more of an understanding of what lies beneath the surface of the plot, the emotional core of the adventure at hand, maybe even what critics sometimes call the driving force of a novel.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Dry and polish the surface using a clean, dry microfiber cloth.
    — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of surface
Noun
  • Sombr was another nominee that went for a maximalist coat moment, also made of a faux-fur fabric.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • This faux fur blanket is a particular favorite in my household — my husband appreciates the mid-weight warmth and plush feel, and our pup loves curling up next to her dad on the soft bubbled surface.
    — Vivien Lee, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of fur
Noun
  • Nussbaum gathered her coat and stepped into the Cleveland cold.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Devout Catholic soldiers in blue coats and knee-breeches make the sign of the cross, invoking divine protection while performing this dangerous task.
    — Tracey Teo, AJC.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of coat

Phrases Containing skin

Browse Nearby Words

skim (through)
skin
skin-deep
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Skin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skin. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of argot

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All