1
as in minimally
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in imperfectly
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of superficially
Competition cannot be superficially manufactured, and both the causes of and solutions to its recent decline are complex.
—
Charlie Hunt, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
Competition cannot be superficially manufactured, and both the causes of and solutions to its recent decline are complex.
—Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2026
Yet after gesturing toward a promising thriller setup, the film soon begins to spin its wheels — doing little to complicate or tighten the melodrama, while only superficially probing its two principal characters as their romance is inevitably reignited.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Because while those numbers at least superficially suggest waking up the echoes of those dynamic days, the anticipated hiring comes when the Chiefs seem stranded in the past and more in need of fresh approaches than turning back the clock.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2026
The Thunder won the NBA title last year, and superficially, the team’s rise to the top validates NBA Commissioner Adam Silver ’s strategy to value parity over dynasties.
—Alex Sherman,contessa Brewer, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Even as large language models such as ChatGPT superficially replicate ordinary speech, researchers want to know if there are specific aspects of human language that simply have no parallels in the communication systems of other animals or artificially intelligent devices.
—Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 31 Oct. 2025
The Tyndall effect, a bluish discoloration from filler that has been injected too superficially, is another possible side effect and is most commonly seen in the thin-skinned undereye area.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Oct. 2025
The Raines’ lawsuit describes a phenomenon that is superficially similar, though with far more urgent consequences.
—Vauhini Vara, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2025
Charlie Hunt, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
Competition cannot be superficially manufactured, and both the causes of and solutions to its recent decline are complex.
—Charlie Hunt, The Conversation, 6 Feb. 2026
Yet after gesturing toward a promising thriller setup, the film soon begins to spin its wheels — doing little to complicate or tighten the melodrama, while only superficially probing its two principal characters as their romance is inevitably reignited.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Feb. 2026
Because while those numbers at least superficially suggest waking up the echoes of those dynamic days, the anticipated hiring comes when the Chiefs seem stranded in the past and more in need of fresh approaches than turning back the clock.
—Kansas City Star, 21 Jan. 2026
The Thunder won the NBA title last year, and superficially, the team’s rise to the top validates NBA Commissioner Adam Silver ’s strategy to value parity over dynasties.
—Alex Sherman,contessa Brewer, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025
Even as large language models such as ChatGPT superficially replicate ordinary speech, researchers want to know if there are specific aspects of human language that simply have no parallels in the communication systems of other animals or artificially intelligent devices.
—Steve Nadis, Quanta Magazine, 31 Oct. 2025
The Tyndall effect, a bluish discoloration from filler that has been injected too superficially, is another possible side effect and is most commonly seen in the thin-skinned undereye area.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 27 Oct. 2025
The Raines’ lawsuit describes a phenomenon that is superficially similar, though with far more urgent consequences.
—Vauhini Vara, The Atlantic, 16 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superficially
Adverb
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These results suggest that ingestible bioimpedance capsules could one day give clinicians a direct, minimally invasive window into gut-barrier function and inflammation.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Renal denervation is a minimally invasive therapy that reduces overactive sympathetic nerve activity around the renal arteries.—
MemorialCare,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Yet, like Bessette’s relationship with the Kennedy family scion, her eternity band is shrouded in mystery—imperfectly recorded through rumors, second-hand accounts, and myths invented by the press and populace.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
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While Julia-Roberts-as-Liz-Gilbert’s story ended, Liz-Gilbert-as-Liz-Gilbert is still moving ahead, honestly and imperfectly.—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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One of my favorite spots was the Social Club, which carries a refined, slightly speakeasy feel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
March brings with it the prospect of longer, lighter days (thank you, Daylight Savings), slightly warmer weather, and overall happier moods.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Cade Cunningham added 18 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds to narrowly miss his 15th career triple-double as the Pistons won their fifth straight game.—
Matt Carlson,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
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China's Wang Xindi narrowly beat out Switzerland's Noe Roth to take gold in the men's freeski aerials.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Back then, the Red Planet was regarded as marginally inhabitable.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Denied an earlier assist when Joe Willock was marginally ruled offside, Ramsey swept home a precious winner.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Issues such as menopause and perimenopause, endometriosis and Alzheimer’s disease — conditions that exclusively or disproportionately affect women — remain inadequately studied.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Feb. 2026
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Scally had already struggled after dealing inadequately with a cross, which let the high-flying visitors score their first.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Adverb
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Encarnacion, 28, barely played last year due to awful injury luck.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
21 Feb. 2026
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If your current carry-on rattles, tips, or barely survives a weekend away, consider this your sign.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Feb. 2026
Adverb
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Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder in which people briefly stop breathing or breath very shallowly during sleep, multiple times per hour.—
Becky Upham,
EverydayHealth.com,
8 Oct. 2025
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Yet another approach is to merely and shallowly describe the persona based on your overall semblance of the person.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Superficially.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superficially. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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