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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
However, when fully dry, potting mix becomes hydrophobic, meaning water will run off the surface of the media instead of penetrating deeper into the pot. Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025 And because Cosmos 482 was designed to reach the surface of Venus — where the atmosphere is 90 times denser than Earth’s — the probe is likely to reach the ground intact. Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 9 May 2025
Verb
However, shortly after, the couple broke up for the second time when allegations of SK cheating surfaced online. Charlotte Walsh, Vulture, 5 May 2025 Still, until the allegations surfaced, Baltimore had planned for Tucker to be its kicker next season. Brian Wacker, Chicago Tribune, 5 May 2025
Adjective
In it were tablets containing concentrated hand soap as well as multi-surface, glass and bathroom cleaners — and four empty containers. Susan Shain, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2023 The sub was fitted with six 533-millimeter torpedo tubes and carried a mix of both anti-surface and anti-submarine weapons. Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 23 Dec. 2022 See All Example Sentences for surface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surface
Noun
  • The exterior is made with mesh to enhance airflow, and the shirt has elastane to stretch and move with you.
    Nicol Natale, People.com, 8 May 2025
  • Photo: Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust/Getty Images The exterior was inspired by Shingle-style homes, which were popular among wealthy East Coast families.
    Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • About an hour later, 69-year-old Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost emerged on the central balcony of the basilica in Vatican City as the new leader of the world’s largest Christian denomination — wearing the white papal cassock for the first time and choking back tears.
    Mariel Padilla, Them., 8 May 2025
  • The Power Of Automation And AI With thousands of new ransomware variants emerging daily, manual analysis is no longer feasible.
    Jim McGann, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, there's no better time to refresh your home for summer with finds from Amazon.
    Toni Sutton, People.com, 11 May 2025
  • Since last week, sightings in the Asheville, North Carolina, area have risen from 140 to 739, according to Kristsky's group, Cicada Safari, which crowdsources and reviews data on the insects.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • Make two superficial cross-shaped incisions on the bottom of the tomato.
    Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 May 2025
  • Today’s discerning travelers prioritize cultural depth, architectural storytelling, and a sense of place over superficial opulence.
    Paul Jebara, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • One spread is a black and white photo of the band in early 1967, standing in front of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.
    Marco della Cava, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • The suits, which have proliferated in recent years, represent a new front in Google’s legal battles in Europe.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • Throughout the discussion, Khan repeatedly emphasized that successful collaboration must arise organically, particularly through writing and story development.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 2 May 2025
  • Even so, Luis Enrique’s team would have been encouraged to go for Arsenal whenever the opportunity arose.
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Located in shallow waters near Costa Rica’s Cahuita National Park, the wrecks were long thought to belong to pirate ships, according to local legend.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2025
  • Instead of setting up a spot on the sand, beachgoers typically pitch their chairs in the shallow clear blue water and laze the day away.
    Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • In addition to Waitress, Titcomb has appeared in national touring and regional productions of Les Misérables, The Sound of Music, Frozen and Fun Home.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 5 May 2025
  • Trump appears to have opted for using tariffs as a stick.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 5 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 17 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on surface

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!