surface 1 of 3

as in exterior
an outer part or layer the surface of just about everything in the kitchen was covered with soot after we put the grease fire out

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surface

2 of 3

verb

1
as in to emerge
to come to one's attention especially gradually or unexpectedly no information regarding the stolen car has surfaced since the police found it abandoned on a country road

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2
as in to rise
to penetrate the surface (as of water) from below a submarine surfaced on the starboard side of the aircraft carrier

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surface

3 of 3

adjective

as in superficial
lying on or affecting only the outer layer of something a surface stain on the wood that can easily be removed with a mild detergent

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Examples of surface in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But beneath the surface Gorman’s superpower is strategy itself. Michael Del Castillo, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2024 On the surface, everything about a Fall Classic showdown between Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge (not to mention Mookie Betts and Juan Soto) is good for baseball. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
In late September, news surfaced that Qualcomm reached out to Intel about a possible takeover. Jordan Novet, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024 Her resilience, shaped by a complex past that’s hardened her resolve, anchors her when the community’s secrets begin to surface. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The multi-surface cleaner works with Dyson's signature de-tangling Motorbar cleaner head, a brush bar that safely captures hair and moves it along with no clogged mess. Lauren Fischer, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2022 Clorox’s multi-surface mist does it all. Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 16 Aug. 2022 See all Example Sentences for surface 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surface
Noun
  • The rocky exterior is aesthetically continued indoors with old-world-feeling flooring of the same material.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2024
  • The scene of the crime The exterior of Chris Smith's Farmersville, Illinois, home.
    Annabelle Allen, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • As more data centers emerge to handle the information surge from artificial intelligence applications such as ChatGPT, scientists point to water as another environmental cost for running these establishments.
    Sanam Mahoozi, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
  • There are similarities between former President Donald Trump and President Biden on long-term armed forces strategy, but in the run-up to the 2024 election, stark differences in Harris and Trump's view of the military's role have emerged.
    Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • At market close, tech giants Meta and Amazon had each seen shares rise about 2%.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024
  • While the outcome in the 2024 election is not yet known, the S&P 500 rose 3.3% during that three-month span this year.
    Kate Gibson, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Additionally, purpose governance and implementation remain a challenge for many organizations, which can lead to superficial adoption rather than authentic transformation.
    Afdhel Aziz, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024
  • The superficial treatment of the movie’s sterner themes doesn’t help its splendid cast.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Analysts standing in front of a big electronic board counting votes and breaking them down state by state, county by county, in granular detail have now become an election night staple.
    Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
  • In the video, Gomez could be seen posing on the carpet and occasionally placing her hands in front of her stomach.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Communication Expectations Intergenerational conflict can arise due to communication styles.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
  • Complications can arise before, during, and after IABP placement.
    Christopher Lee, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Jetties on the north and south protect the channel entrance, but in rough weather the giant seas breaking in shallow water offshore set up a savage turmoil.
    Orval C. Johnson, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Place flour in a shallow dish; dredge chicken lightly in flour, shaking off excess.
    Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • That appears to be the case with Andrew McCabe, former deputy director of the FBI.
    Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 2 Nov. 2024
  • Astronomers hoped to find evidence of a planet lurking within this disk, but the new images show that there doesn't appear to be any.
    Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

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