surface 1 of 3

noun

ˈsər-fəs How to pronounce surface (audio)
Definition of surfacenext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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 surface
Noun
If using a grill, place them on the outer edges where the surface is less hot. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026 That makes acoustic sensing one of the most important tools for finding objects beneath the surface. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
Then the news surfaced that the Panthers planned to sign tight end Darren Waller; also concerning. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2026 Reports have surfaced this week of mental health concerns aboard the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln as its crew endures more than 200 days without a port call during operations against Iran. — Mustafa Qadri, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
After Friday’s 50-minute practice session — the Cup cars’ only time on the track before Saturday’s qualifying and Sunday’s race — drivers were united in their concerns about the multi-surface circuit’s lack of grip, tight walls and fears of a high attrition rate in Sunday’s 75-lap feature. — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 June 2026 Further, healthy conflict serves to challenge assumptions, surface unintended consequences and improve strategic judgment. — Terina Allen, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for surface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surface
  1. exterior
  2. emerge
  3. rise
  4. superficial
  5. front
  6. arise
  7. shallow
  8. appear
Noun
  • Additionally, the exterior of this cooker ran a little hot without any kind of plastic base or foot between it at the countertop.
    — Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026
  • In terms of construction, the exterior is envisioned in either fiberglass or aluminum.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of exterior
Verb
  • Cardiff, the compact capital of Wales, has undoubtedly emerged as one of the most exciting urban centers in Britain.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But instead of making personal expertise the bottleneck through which every decision must pass, the leader creates a structure in which collective intelligence can emerge.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of emerge
Verb
  • But after the single-component shots came into use, infections there began to rise.
    — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • That was the evening Hilton, who rose to fame in the early 2000s as a celebrity gossip blogger, appeared to engage in self-harm during a livestream.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of rise
Adjective
  • Without that foundation, AI initiatives risk becoming superficial overlays on legacy infrastructure not designed to support them.
    — William Jones, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Commentary on his work often describes it as a critique of race or capitalism but gingerly avoids the more superficial observation that these behaviors have a resemblance to certain presentations of psychosis.
    — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of superficial
Noun
  • The tension between them comes to a head after the two arrive in Nebraska and begin investigating a school shooting that Hal believes is a front for aliens.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Johnson played on the edge in three-man fronts, a shift from how his career started as the final pick in the 2023 draft.
    — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of front
Verb
  • Maternal depression can last weeks or months and can arise during pregnancy or after birth.
    — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Some hiccups, including a miscue backing up a ball and the soreness, have arisen.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of arise
Adjective
  • In any case, somehow Collier and one or two others who caught up with him tied the bear to a tree, leaving the animal entangled in the rope and wallowing in exhaustion in the shallow water.
    — Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Step 4 Arrange tender greens (such as arugula, radicchio, and/or lettuce) in a shallow bowl.
    — Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of shallow
Verb
  • Mathers was set to appear for sentencing on Thursday for the February case and a probable cause conference in the May case.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But those concerns didn’t stop groups of Catholics from joining a recent joyous pilgrimage on Mount Tabor, where the Gospels say Jesus appeared transfigured alongside the Jewish prophets Moses and Elijah.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of appear

Phrases Containing surface

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surface
surfaced
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Cite this Entry

“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of surface for Spanish Speakers

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