1
as in superficial
lying on or affecting only the outer layer of something
fortunately, the cut was only skin-deep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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-deep
If Clooney’s self-reflection feels skin-deep, Baumbach seems to undergo a thornier reckoning.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
Watch it for its skin-deep enticement, its powerful visual devices, but also its concealed malignancy.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
Her frugal philosophy is more than just skin-deep.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
But for those seeking therapies that are more than skin-deep, the nation has also become a destination for patients from India, Pakistan, neighboring Gulf countries, and beyond who are looking to live longer, better lives.
—Lara Setrakian, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skin-deep
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2025
Watch it for its skin-deep enticement, its powerful visual devices, but also its concealed malignancy.
—Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2025
Her frugal philosophy is more than just skin-deep.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
But for those seeking therapies that are more than skin-deep, the nation has also become a destination for patients from India, Pakistan, neighboring Gulf countries, and beyond who are looking to live longer, better lives.
—Lara Setrakian, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skin-deep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skin-deep
Adjective
-
But our conversation ended up being so much about women and mothers generally, and how people in their lives create these illusions of normalcy and these illusions of perfection based on superficial stuff.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
-
Her music owned up to being horny, garish, and superficial, but could scan as thin or cheap when held up to other kinds of ethical or political scrutiny.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
In dry climates, where rainfall is limited but dew may be common, an extensive network of shallow roots may be better equipped to maximize absorption of any moisture that touches the soil.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
4 June 2026
-
They are gathered for the most part in shallow high-mountain ponds in the Rockies.—
Byron W. Dalrymple,
Outdoor Life,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
Audiences Were Never in One Place The shift toward multi-surface creation isn’t just happening on the creator side.—
Stephanie Hind,
Rolling Stone,
1 May 2026
-
Its capabilities include surveillance, intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and special operations support, alongside traditional anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare roles.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skin-deep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skin-deep. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
