surfaces 1 of 2

Definition of surfacesnext
plural of surface
as in exteriors
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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surfaces

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of surface
1
as in emerges
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 rises
to penetrate the surface (as of water) from below a submarine surfaced on the starboard side of the aircraft carrier

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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 surfaces
Noun
Scott says these tones work beautifully across both flooring and wall surfaces, and create seamless, layered interiors that feel grounded and connected to nature. Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026 The latter can be more sensitive to movement and are best suited for shiny surfaces such as glass tables. Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026 Opting for too many chemicals can leave surfaces sticky in the best of scenarios and create dangerous fumes in the worst of scenarios. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026 The virus survives on surfaces for days and is highly contagious. Jake Scott, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2026 These include washing hands often; avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth; avoiding close contact with sick people; cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces; and staying home when feeling sick. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 5 Jan. 2026 Predominantly six-sided patterns such as those on sharks and rays are a classic way to efficiently cover curved surfaces, for instance. Anirban Mukhopadhyay, Scientific American, 5 Jan. 2026 Most of that snowfall accumulated on grassy and elevated surfaces. David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Nov. 2025 The Sentinel-2 satellites, developed and operated by the European Space Agency, use high-resolution optical imaging to monitor land surfaces, coastal zones and inland waters. Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
Orchestrator then surfaces its insights to Joule, so the human operator can make decisions on issues in natural language. Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 23 Dec. 2025 Populism in all its guises surfaces problems but rarely solves them. Stephen Kotkin, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025 The series is technically a prequel to 2017's It and 2019's It Chapter Two, which were adapted from Stephen King's 1986 epic novel about Derry, Maine, a small town being terrorized by an ancient, child-devouring evil that surfaces every 27 years. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Dec. 2025 So, when news surfaces that the company is considering a sale and that two of its board members may be bidders, Starboard is doing what any good activist would do and making sure there is a fair process to maximize value for shareholders. Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2025 The film, which as of this September was still incomplete, according to The New Yorker, surfaces footage from a 1972 reunion of figures from the Harlem Renaissance, which gathered passionate and creative minds with nuanced and critical insights into race, politics, art, and more. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 10 Dec. 2025 Eventually, this peripatetic journey—between the lived and the researched; between Africa, Canada and India; and between the present and the historical—also surfaces unexpected types of kinship. Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Dec. 2025 But word often quickly surfaces as to whether a San Diego carrier will be going to the Indo-Pacific or the Middle East. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025 That’s why experts urge parents to have conversations with their children on how to identify these trends—as well as strategies for managing social media when this content inevitably surfaces. ​wendy Wisner, Parents, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surfaces
Noun
  • Then, a quick stint under the broiler crisps the edges, creating that irresistible combo of golden, crunchy exteriors and tender, middles.
    Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
  • That extended to the night exteriors, which were shot day-for-night in a manner that mirrored the lead character’s confusion.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Gunfire disrupts the silence as Raya emerges through smoke, armed with a tommy gun.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Jan. 2026
  • Every year marks the arrival of at least one indie horror filmmaker who seemingly emerges from out of nowhere to become a household name.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • When wet clothes are placed near exterior walls—which are much colder than interior walls in the winter—moisture rises to the cold surface, creating the perfect conditions for trapping moisture and causing mold growth.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026
  • During this season, sap rises to the top of the tree.
    Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Barton gave the jury the impression of a man prepared to go into daily combat on numerous fronts, constantly fighting one battle after another, in service of his principles.
    Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Kansas City’s reparations movement is moving ahead on two fronts, one rooted in community storytelling, the other in formal policy research.
    J.M. Banks November 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • In the story, there is a lot of comedy that naturally arises from tragic moments, from dark, depressing moments.
    Carole Horst, Variety, 10 Jan. 2026
  • In the decades since, analytical philosophers have produced all manner of models meant to explain how consciousness arises.
    Dan Turello, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Recycling pickup occurs every other week on the same day.
    Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 8 Jan. 2026
  • And while New England isn't known for its earthquakes, much of Connecticut's seismic activity occurs in or near the town of Moodus, according to the Northeast States Emergency Consortium (NESEC).
    Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • This happens when water in front of the tire builds up faster than the vehicle's weight can push water out of the way.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2026
  • This communication happens within 10 minutes of the pill being swallowed.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The 25-year-old Chiefs receiver appears in a separate photo posted to the same Instagram account.
    Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 8 Jan. 2026
  • With a high-stakes battle for the 2026 midterms looming, the Evergreen State appears poised to join the trend of states using congressional redistricting for partisan advantage.
    Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Surfaces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surfaces. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.

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