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 First, a few enthusiastic teams shipped generative AI and agentic AI features fast and superficially, creating real second-order risk—which is why the AI productivity function exists today. — Ankur Pal, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026 Further, conditions such as major depressive disorder and schizophrenia likely have several subgroups that superficially resemble each other but develop through different mechanisms and pathways. — Anand Kumar, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026 Anna Anosowicz’s highly resourceful production design makes excellent use of existing midcentury brutalist architecture and far more ancient, enduring structures, all moldering under superficially futuristic window-dressing. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026 Tony Dalton brings impressive menace to a superficially affable sheriff, and Laura Donnelly strikes the perfect balance between femme fatale and innocent love interest. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026 His brother and grandparents were injured, but only superficially. — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 Unlike traditional microneedling, which uses metal needles inserted and withdrawn, spicules embed superficially and shed with normal skin turnover over a few days. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superficially
  1. minimally
  2. imperfectly
  3. slightly
  4. narrowly
  5. marginally
  6. inadequately
  7. barely
  8. shallowly
Adverb
  • Autonomous navigation Transcatheter closure is a minimally invasive technique that repairs structural heart defects without open-heart surgery.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026
  • The only way to keep pushing forward was to have biweekly angioplasty surgery, a minimally invasive medical produce used to open blocked or narrowed heart arteries.
    — Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of minimally
Adverb
  • The department exists to preserve some semblance of equal justice in the United States — imperfectly, haltingly, often overbearingly for some and cautiously for others — and help ensure that the nation is governed by the rule of law.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Rather than suffering because leaders acted imperfectly, organizations often suffer because leaders waited too long to act at all.
    — Irma Becerra, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of imperfectly
Adverb
  • With Elliot Anderson asked to be the fulcrum of the team, the Argentine midfielder took up the slightly wide-on-the-right midfield position that City have been working on this season.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The lights on the flanks had slightly different temperature profiles.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of slightly
Adverb
  • The Dodgers walked off the Cardinals with a 3-2 victory Thursday, narrowly avoiding a series sweep at Dodger Stadium.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Just like the Tour was fortunate to avoid the enormous wildfire on the outskirts of Bordeaux by two weeks in July, the Vuelta had narrowly escaped being affected.
    — Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of narrowly
Adverb
  • The home country is hostile, literally and culturally, so the characters often turn to America and England, places that are marginally safer but only just.
    — Tembe Denton-Hurst, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Over the summer, Newcastle discovered there was a way to both marginally increase capacity — to meet at least a fraction of the insatiable demand for tickets — and also bring in additional revenue.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of marginally
Adverb
  • Beatty has challenged the board’s plan to close the Kennedy Center for two years, arguing its initial decision was rushed and inadequately considered.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2026
  • In the last decade and a half, a carrousel of feuding political factions took turns governing, all inadequately.
    — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of inadequately
Adverb
  • After receiving treatment, Potapova returned for what proved to be the last three points, but could barely move.
    — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The comedic play, which is set at a silent retreat, has the unique convention of having the majority of its characters barely speak, and rather rely on their physicality.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 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 10 Sep. 2026.

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