as in underground
being, situated, or operating beneath the surface of the earth
a sandy wasteland that gave little hint of its subsurface wealth
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Recent Examples of subsurface
Evaluation protocols of subsurface measurements and training of all rig site personnel have improved the drilling economics of this geothermal project.
—
Ian Palmer, Forbes, 19 May 2022
Shallow pools of subsurface water froze and fractured the surface again and again.
—Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 22 Apr. 2022
This is an important scientific mission tasked with searching for ice at the south pole and using a one-meter drill to prospect for subsurface samples.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 20 Apr. 2022
So Marco Mastrogiuseppe, a researcher on the Cassini team who had used instruments like RADAR to map subsurface water on Mars, decided to try something.
—Liz Kruesi, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2015
See All Example Sentences for subsurface
Ian Palmer, Forbes, 19 May 2022
Shallow pools of subsurface water froze and fractured the surface again and again.
—Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 22 Apr. 2022
This is an important scientific mission tasked with searching for ice at the south pole and using a one-meter drill to prospect for subsurface samples.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 20 Apr. 2022
So Marco Mastrogiuseppe, a researcher on the Cassini team who had used instruments like RADAR to map subsurface water on Mars, decided to try something.
—Liz Kruesi, Discover Magazine, 28 Oct. 2015
See All Example Sentences for subsurface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subsurface
Adjective
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The district has 56 poles and 7,500 linear feet of overhead conversion to 11,165 linear feet of underground trench spanning 227 properties, according to a council agenda report.—
Luke Harold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
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There are more than 150 miles of tunnels across nine underground levels, and guests are encouraged to lick the walls.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Here are two more stories of the subterranean, one sinister and one salty.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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Their translucent bodies suggest adaptation to a subterranean environment where light doesn’t reach.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subsurface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subsurface. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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