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 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 — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 Unlike traditional microneedling, which uses metal needles inserted and withdrawn, spicules embed superficially and shed with normal skin turnover over a few days.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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superficially
  1. minimally
  2. imperfectly
  3. slightly
  4. narrowly
  5. marginally
  6. inadequately
  7. barely
  8. shallowly
Adverb
  • That’s less likely than iPhone and Apple Watch increases, since AirPods should be minimally impacted by rising memory and storage costs.
    — Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Keswani said the surgery is typically performed at around 26 weeks of pregnancy using a minimally invasive approach.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of minimally
Adverb
  • 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
  • Stories of first times, of big feelings imperfectly grasped, of life coming into focus for better or worse.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of imperfectly
Adverb
  • Finally, the weather forecast is warm in Philadelphia, with the wind slightly blowing out to right field, further enhancing the chances of Schwarber and Harper hitting home runs.
    — Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Some occupy the farmhouses on the lower slope, overlooking the cobbled courtyard and Mediterranean herb gardens, while others are slightly further up and offer panoramic views of the Panzano valley.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of slightly
Adverb
  • The Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche to be Attorney General by a vote of 50-49 early this morning.
    — Jay O'Brien, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Those numbers are eerily similar — and narrowly higher — than the contract Robinson signed Tuesday.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of narrowly
Adverb
  • From the driver’s perspective, these early headlights did little more than marginally improve visibility.
    — Matthew MacConnell, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Showers and thunderstorms are expected to become widespread, with a few potentially strong or marginally severe storms.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of marginally
Adverb
  • Most social media platforms already have a minimum age to register an account, but governments, parents, and child safety advocates argue that these checks are easy to bypass and inadequately enforced.
    — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Yet many still fail to reach their full potential because the directors are insufficiently engaged, inadequately challenged or possibly confined to narrow definitions of their role.
    — James Langabeer, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of inadequately
Adverb
  • But Olson's foot barely came off the bag, and the call was changed to a hit after the Mets challenged.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Nadine Visser of the Netherlands secured her first major outdoor title by winning the women's 100 meter hurdles — barely.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 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 13 Aug. 2026.

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