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
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
Consumers are realizing that beauty isn’t skin-deep.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
The comparisons were more than skin-deep: the researchers used gravity data to take a peek underground.
—Elise Cutts, Scientific American, 13 May 2025
However, despite some fancy camera work and close-ups, this production only goes skin-deep.
—Christian Lewis, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skin-deep
Lara Setrakian, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Consumers are realizing that beauty isn’t skin-deep.
—Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
The comparisons were more than skin-deep: the researchers used gravity data to take a peek underground.
—Elise Cutts, Scientific American, 13 May 2025
However, despite some fancy camera work and close-ups, this production only goes skin-deep.
—Christian Lewis, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for skin-deep
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skin-deep
Adjective
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However, the defense argued that the blood spatter evidence at the scene matched an accidental fall and that Kathleen's scalp lacerations were only superficial and didn't cause her death.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
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More often those concert performances help pump up a flashy, superficial look at an enigmatic artist whose closest connections were of the animal variety (Bubbles gets screen time; ditto a giraffe, a llama and a big snake).—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Genetics might be on Jaafar Jackson’s side, but there’s also tremendous amount of hard work that has gone into this performance, which is technically perfect if a bit emotionally shallow.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
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Maps4Media processed and enhanced Sentinal-2 satellite imagery shows a broad view of the Strait of Hormuz between southern Iran and Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, including surrounding islands, coastal terrain, and turquoise shallow-water zones at the entrance to the Persian Gulf.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Spray the multi-surface cleaner onto a damp cloth.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skin-deep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skin-deep. Accessed 29 Apr. 2026.
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