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 Digger is lambasted by his half sister, Emma (Sandra Hüller), a superficially liberal-minded Shiv Roy type, with her own eco-friendly initiative. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026 Both men’s families are played by actors who superficially match their real-world counterparts. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026 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 — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 Unlike traditional microneedling, which uses metal needles inserted and withdrawn, spicules embed superficially and shed with normal skin turnover over a few days.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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for superficially
  1. minimally
  2. imperfectly
  3. slightly
  4. narrowly
  5. marginally
  6. inadequately
  7. barely
  8. shallowly
Adverb
  • Hamshaw says that for most people, tempeh can be eaten every day as it is minimally processed soy food that provides protein, fiber, iron, and unsaturated fat.
    — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Enter Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE), a minimally-invasive procedure that lessens blood flow to inflamed spots in the knee to reduce chronic pain and swelling.
    — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 24 Sep. 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
  • His dialogue in particular serves as a distinctive through line, with pages of repartee in an off-kilter, slightly formal register flowing through all of his novels.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • During heat treatment, nanoscale regions with slightly different atomic spacing begin to precipitate within the alloy.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of slightly
Adverb
  • Unlike prior records this year, this latest run has been narrowly lead by a few stocks tied to the AI hype and deemed unfettered by adverse macroeconomic headwinds.
    — Deena Zaidi,Sean Conlon, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Unionized staff at the Whitney Museum in New York ratified its second contract Sunday night, hours ahead a strike deadline, narrowly heading off a disruption to the opening of a forthcoming Roy Lichtenstein retrospective.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of narrowly
Adverb
  • The obstacles matter not, as Stach blasts the ball into the top corner, to the right of Sa, who had been marginally closer to that side of the net.
    — Beren Cross, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
  • While some countries and companies can work on pumping out marginally more oil—and further deplete oil reserves—similar solutions don’t exist for fuel.
    — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of marginally
Adverb
  • The case accused school officials of unreasonably exposing McNair to the risk of heatstroke, failing to recognize the initial symptoms and inadequately providing medical care and treatment, thus worsening McNair’s condition.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The case went before Carter, who also oversees a six-year-old case in which the city and county are accused of inadequately addressing homelessness.
    — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of inadequately
Adverb
  • The ministry said in a statement on Friday that health facilities in coastal, western and southern areas of the province have closed or are barely partially functioning.
    — AHMED AL-HAJ, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Until, suddenly, the life drains from his eyes, sometimes for barely a second, and returning before anyone else in the scene notices.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of barely
Adverb
  • When to seek medical attention People who use kratom and begin breathing slowly or shallowly, or who become excessively drowsy or difficult to awaken, may be experiencing serious sedation that can interfere with breathing, Steinman said.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 23 Sep. 2026
  • 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
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 8 Oct. 2026.

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