1
as in superficial
lying on or affecting only the outer layer of something
fortunately, the cut was only skin-deep
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shallow
having or showing a lack of depth of understanding or character
the book provides some interesting anecdotes but only offers a skin-deep analysis of the events it chronicles
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skin-deep
Anyone else is likely to emerge unharmed, if a little bewildered that these good-looking but skin-deep figures merited feature treatment.
—
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
More central than the gross-out factor is a wry statement of disability pride, a reminder that swagger needn’t be skin-deep.
—Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
The best Korean sunscreens are among our absolute favorite sunscreens, and the reasons are beyond skin-deep.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 3 Jan. 2025
Little touches like these marry the hotel group’s Asian roots to London thoughtfully and beautifully, but beauty here is more than just skin-deep.
—Laura Ratliff, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skin-deep
Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025
More central than the gross-out factor is a wry statement of disability pride, a reminder that swagger needn’t be skin-deep.
—Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
The best Korean sunscreens are among our absolute favorite sunscreens, and the reasons are beyond skin-deep.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 3 Jan. 2025
Little touches like these marry the hotel group’s Asian roots to London thoughtfully and beautifully, but beauty here is more than just skin-deep.
—Laura Ratliff, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for skin-deep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skin-deep
Adjective
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Make two superficial cross-shaped incisions on the bottom of the tomato.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
1 May 2025
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Today’s discerning travelers prioritize cultural depth, architectural storytelling, and a sense of place over superficial opulence.—
Paul Jebara,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Located in shallow waters near Costa Rica’s Cahuita National Park, the wrecks were long thought to belong to pirate ships, according to local legend.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
8 May 2025
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Instead of setting up a spot on the sand, beachgoers typically pitch their chairs in the shallow clear blue water and laze the day away.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Storms are the most common cause of lightning, but lightning strikes have been observed in volcanic eruptions, surface nuclear detonations and during heavy snowstorms even.—
Joyce Orlando,
The Tennessean,
2 Aug. 2024
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When values fail to align, problems surface, even in organizations committed to developing leaders through coaching.—
Mitch Mitchell,
Forbes,
9 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Skin-deep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skin-deep. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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