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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Recent Examples of skin-deep
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
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
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
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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Romano’s sturdy book may not stint on examples of Mary’s bad behavior—including a ferociously jealous verbal assault, near the end of the war, on the wife of a prominent Union general—but the biographer keeps tilting against those who slighted Mary in even the most superficial ways.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Then, let the paste sit for a few minutes before scrubbing away with a clean cloth to reveal like-new furniture with no superficial scratches.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
9 May 2026
Adjective
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The submarines are said to be designed for shallow waters like the Strait of Hormuz and can operate quietly for limited periods on battery power.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
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Bichette dropped a flare into shallow center field out of the reach of converging defenders, allowing Torrens to score the tying run, and Benge to go to first.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Skin-deep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skin-deep. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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