SKIN-DEEP Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

skin-deep

adjective

ˈskin-ˈdēp

Definition of skin-deep

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

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 The beauty of the island is not just skin-deep. — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 18 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for skin-deep

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skin-deep

Adjective

The teen's father also has a superficial wound on his hands and has been taken to a hospital, Bradshaw said.

— Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026
Ultimately, giving employees back their time through initiatives like four-day workweeks is becoming the ultimate luxury, reflecting a shift towards truly valuing employee well-being over superficial office fun.

— Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of superficial

Adjective

Farther southwest, including much of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the eclipse becomes progressively shallower and less visually rewarding.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Birds are attracted to just about any water source, but most appreciate a shallow basin for bathing.

— Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of shallow

Adjective

Yet, the current market set-up, in which a hyper-concentrated S & P 500 regularly goes the opposite direction of a majority of its components, an understanding of sub-surface influences has become almost a necessity.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Seahawk missions include anti-surface warfare, combat support, humanitarian disaster relief, and combat search and rescue, according to Naval Air Systems Command.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Definition of surface

Browse Nearby Words

skin

skin-deep

skinflint

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Skin-deep.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skin-deep. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of skin-deep

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on skin-deep

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

salvo

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

'Gaslighting,' 'Woke,' 'Democracy,' and Other Top Lookups

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes