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superficially

adverb

1
as in minimally

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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 — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 Unlike traditional microneedling, which uses metal needles inserted and withdrawn, spicules embed superficially and shed with normal skin turnover over a few days.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
  • Many of these homes were not cleaned using even these minimally protective methods, however, according to a door-to-door survey conducted shortly after the attacks by the New York City Department of Health.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Plant Foods and Fiber Associated With Sleep Quality Previous research has linked diets rich in fiber and minimally processed foods with better sleep, the researchers noted.
    — Lauren Manaker MS, HEALTH, 14 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
  • A couple miles away, Zebulon draws slightly larger crowds — their venue can hold up to 300 — but their mission is similar.
    — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026
  • And the free version, the open-source version, the unregulated version, is always going to be improving slightly behind the expensive, fancy version.
    — Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of slightly
Adverb
  • In his dissent, Scalia argued that the ESA was written narrowly to prohibit the intentional hunting and killing of vulnerable animals, not to broadly protect species at the population level.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Trump carried Michigan in 2024, albeit narrowly, and El-Sayed is a progressive who has never held elective office.
    — Susan Page, USA Today, 22 Sep. 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 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
  • 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
Definition of inadequately
Adverb
  • Many could barely see the painting clearly with their own eyes, yet they were focused on capturing it.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
  • And yet, it could be argued that this list of likely candidates barely scratches the surface.
    — Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 22 Sep. 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 24 Sep. 2026.

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