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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Examples of surface in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But beneath the surface Gorman’s superpower is strategy itself. Michael Del Castillo, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2024 On the surface, everything about a Fall Classic showdown between Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge (not to mention Mookie Betts and Juan Soto) is good for baseball. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
In late September, news surfaced that Qualcomm reached out to Intel about a possible takeover. Jordan Novet, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2024 Her resilience, shaped by a complex past that’s hardened her resolve, anchors her when the community’s secrets begin to surface. Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The multi-surface cleaner works with Dyson's signature de-tangling Motorbar cleaner head, a brush bar that safely captures hair and moves it along with no clogged mess. Lauren Fischer, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2022 Clorox’s multi-surface mist does it all. Jodhaira Rodriguez, Good Housekeeping, 16 Aug. 2022 See all Example Sentences for surface 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surface
Noun
  • The rocky exterior is aesthetically continued indoors with old-world-feeling flooring of the same material.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2024
  • The scene of the crime The exterior of Chris Smith's Farmersville, Illinois, home.
    Annabelle Allen, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • As more data centers emerge to handle the information surge from artificial intelligence applications such as ChatGPT, scientists point to water as another environmental cost for running these establishments.
    Sanam Mahoozi, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
  • Andrew, who was second in line to the British throne when he was born in 1960, has seen his standing fall dramatically since his non-apology for his former friendship with Jeffrey Epstein emerged in a BBC interview in 2019.
    Caroline Frost, Deadline, 2 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • In fact, Knight Frank found that the percentage of U.S. buyers purchasing homes in London rose to 6.1 percent in the first six months of this year from 3.3 percent in the second part of 2023.
    Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Boeing shares rose nearly two percent after union workers approved a new contract, ending a seven-week strike that had stalled production lines.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • This stands in contrast to the often superficial engagements seen on mainstream platforms.
    Gary Weinstein, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Although more superficial aspects of his middle-eastern culture of 2,000 years ago contrast sharply with our western-capitalist society, other, deeper aspects of the two eras are eerily similar.
    Leslie Smith Reeves Faith Matters, arkansasonline.com, 2 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Analysts standing in front of a big electronic board counting votes and breaking them down state by state, county by county, in granular detail have now become an election night staple.
    Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Raw-finish fronts were used atop IKEA cabinets: the lower units are black with brass handles while those mounted on the wall above the work area are in gray and without handles.
    Nicolas Milon, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Complications can arise before, during, and after IABP placement.
    Christopher Lee, Verywell Health, 30 Oct. 2024
  • Determined to oversee a fair fight, Lawrence plays conciliator and detective as scandals arise, but his ongoing crisis of faith descends into a crisis of confidence.
    Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • Jetties on the north and south protect the channel entrance, but in rough weather the giant seas breaking in shallow water offshore set up a savage turmoil.
    Orval C. Johnson, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024
  • Place flour in a shallow dish; dredge chicken lightly in flour, shaking off excess.
    Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2024
Verb
  • For my analysis of how generative AI can appear to be empathetic, see my analyses at the link here and the link here.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024
  • And there appears to be even more of an appetite for the inventive restaurant’s wild creations.
    Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 2 Nov. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

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