superficially

adverb

1
as in minimally

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Dissimilar Words
2
as in imperfectly

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Dissimilar Words

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 superficially Many of the devices employed during segregation, such as poll taxes, grandfather clauses, and literacy tests, were superficially race-neutral. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 Never water superficially but always give the root ball a good soaking. — Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2026 This requires that practitioners in this area have a deep understanding of the facts of a particular case and not approach the UPEPA superficially. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026 Such lovers can soothe certain wounds in your soul, but only temporarily, only superficially. — Taiye Selasi, New Yorker, 31 May 2026 The bar was set high from here, but even the best Bond games have only superficially tackled the essence of the spy fantasy. — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 May 2026 The teams are accused of scheduling what amounted to courtesy interviews to superficially comply with the Rooney Rule. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 26 May 2026 Moreover, the channel emphasizes reports on regional summits, elections, conflicts, and social movements that are generally excluded, marginalized, or only superficially covered by mainstream media. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026 Lucy is very isolated in this superficially tranquil domestic setting, separated from friends, far from her mother, dependent on Philip, and not even entirely fluent in German. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superficially
  1. minimally
  2. imperfectly
  3. slightly
  4. narrowly
  5. marginally
  6. inadequately
  7. barely
  8. shallowly
Adverb
  • In some cases, imaging or minimally invasive procedures—such as laparoscopy for endometriosis—may be used to confirm a diagnosis or guide treatment.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 14 July 2026
  • Regulators recently approved what officials call the world's first minimally invasive BCI device for commercial use, developed by Neuracle Medical Technology to regain some hand function after spinal cord injuries.
    — Elaine Yu, CNBC, 11 July 2026
Definition of minimally
Adverb
  • It’s been about holding them in tension, sometimes brilliantly, often painfully, and always imperfectly.
    — Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Let a few tendrils fall to frame your face for an imperfectly perfect look like Salma Hayek's style.
    — Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 24 June 2026
Definition of imperfectly
Adverb
  • On one hand, England fans are swigging beer in the sun with a familiar slightly nervous look on their face as the pressure is now on their team to deliver.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 12 July 2026
  • Generally, rents have seen modest increases in coastal areas, while slightly declining in inland communities, though there are exceptions.
    — Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 July 2026
Definition of slightly
Adverb
  • The company narrowly missed first-quarter revenue expectations in April, Reuters reported.
    — Israel Schuman, Des Moines Register, 9 July 2026
  • Finally, Lionel Messi's Argentina, having narrowly advanced, faces a defensive-minded Switzerland, with Argentina expected to win despite recent close calls.
    — Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of narrowly
Adverb
  • Even the controversial inclusion of leading scorer Folarin Balogun, who started and was only marginally effective, couldn’t save them.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026
  • Despite the sharp declines in semis, S & P 500 futures were only down marginally heading into Tuesday’s open.
    — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 7 July 2026
Definition of marginally
Adverb
  • Undermanned in the middle and inadequately equipped on the back end, Holland, a septuagenarian with four Stanley Cup rings, will have to earn every word of his reputation this summer.
    — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 28 June 2026
  • As medetomidine spreads across the country, jails that are still inadequately prepared to treat opioid withdrawal alone could face an onslaught of severe cases.
    — Hannah Harris Green, STAT, 26 June 2026
Definition of inadequately
Adverb
  • McConnell, who at 84 is only the third-oldest member of the Senate, was admitted to the hospital on June 14 with barely any explanation.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 July 2026
  • From the first minute of the game, France looked off the pace and off color and barely laid a glove on Spain.
    — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 14 July 2026
Definition of barely
Adverb
  • Young and shallowly rooted plants are the most impacted by heat and drought, leaving them vulnerable to diseases and pests.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
  • Avoid watering frequently and shallowly as this will worsen the condition.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2026
Definition of shallowly

Browse Nearby Words

superficiality
superficially
superficies
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Cite this Entry

“Superficially.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superficially. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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