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
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
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
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Recent Examples of surface
Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 7 Apr. 2026
The horrors under the monoliths’ shimmering surfaces remind us to look at the land, then look deeper.
—Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
In your 60s, these effects become more pronounced, and cumulative sun damage often begins to surface more visibly through spots, broken capillaries, and uneven texture.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Destroyer Squadron 15 said the war game improved overall interoperability among the four forces in advanced maneuvering scenarios, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, information sharing and maritime operations.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surface
Noun
Mismatched white tones in a kitchen can make some surfaces feel dingy.
—Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 7 Apr. 2026
The horrors under the monoliths’ shimmering surfaces remind us to look at the land, then look deeper.
—Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
Only rarely do Internal Affairs documents surface in civil lawsuits and criminal cases, and even then they are often heavily redacted.
—Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
In your 60s, these effects become more pronounced, and cumulative sun damage often begins to surface more visibly through spots, broken capillaries, and uneven texture.
—Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The proposal includes a tennis center with multi-surface courts, hotels, water polo facilities, retail, a wellness center and stadium to host soccer matches.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Destroyer Squadron 15 said the war game improved overall interoperability among the four forces in advanced maneuvering scenarios, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, information sharing and maritime operations.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surface
Noun
-
The art deco movie palace at the center of her design bears a distinct resemblance to the North Bend’s dramatic exterior.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Designers Fattahi and McNairy, the cofounders of LALA Reimagined, also like Benjamin Moore’s White Dove for a neutral exterior.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The emerging cooperation has opened the door for American companies to explore opportunities in Venezuela’s mineral-rich south, even as governance on the ground remains dominated by armed groups and informal networks.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Rising electricity bills emerged as a campaign issue in recent elections, including during gubernatorial races won by Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Between rising costs, vanishing support systems and nonstop scrutiny, parenthood, as Ej Dickson describes in One Bad Mother, has started to feel less like a choice than a trap.—
Micah Barkley,
Bloomberg,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Vance’s top dog status could spur rivals in both parties to portray him as the face of an unpopular war that voters blame for rising inflation and the all-important price of gas at the pump.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Many of Barbara’s dreams are superficial and retrograde.—
Boris Kachka,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Engagement across these positions may be either fleeting or sustained, but is not inherently superficial.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Nevada County Planning Commission recently recommended that a development project in Cedar Ridge be put in front of the board of supervisors for a vote.—
Kayla Moeller,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
We were called in to be more inclusive, to be more compassionate, to be more attentive to the back of the house as much as the front of the house.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Re-entry remains a large hurdle, with dangers arising from the 25,000 mph high-speed return to Earth.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Tucker did not answer several follow-up questions, including the vetting process for the Nicholsons and any red flags that might have arisen.—
Edward Lee,
Baltimore Sun,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The pan is wide and shallow enough to fit a large portion of veg, and its ceramic nonstick coating makes for easy cleanup.—
Kate Kassin,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Spread cubes in a shallow baking pan.—
Maddy Bendgen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ali, also known as Elnoor Mohamed Ali, is scheduled to appear Saturday in Folkestone Magistrates Court.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Ultimately, the scammers appear to use their initial contractor targets as unsuspecting mules for the malware payload.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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