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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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
  • 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
  • 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
Verb
  • While last month was turbulent for the energy sector overall, a few bright spots within the industry managed to emerge – and those names happen to offer attractive dividends.
    Darla Mercado, CFP®, CNBC, 8 May 2025
  • Seen as front-runner Pope Leo started to emerge as a front-runner for the papacy in the days before the conclave began, according to the Rev. James Martin, a papal contributor to ABC News.
    Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 8 May 2025
Verb
  • Strong floral aromatics as well as aromas of marshmallows, candy cane, Tunisian rose and buttered toast in this wine with 12.8 percent alcohol.
    Tom Mullen, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • If sea levels continue to rise, urban areas may have to consider taking drastic action to prevent flooding and other disruption to city life.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 May 2025
Adjective
  • Garmin also upgrades the superficial hardware in the Forerunner 970.
    Andrew Williams, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • Health advocacy organizations say public outreach for this effort, especially to Black Georgians, has been superficial at best.
    Margaret Coker, ProPublica, 14 May 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
  • Read More: 'Avengers: Doomsday' First Look Marks Production Milestone Downey appears to be sitting in front of his trailer in the pic, and right above him is a Doctor Doom sign which shows the Latverian dictator pointing.
    Michileen Martin, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • President Trump’s intermediary deals with China and the U.K. have done little to convince Jamie Dimon that market volatility arising out of White House tariff policy is over.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 16 May 2025
  • This lack of control arises from the sense that nothing will change.
    Woodrie Burich, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
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

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Cite this Entry

“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

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