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 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
Winters — who was so terrifying in Heroes of the Fourth Turning and who revealed a messy vulnerability behind Kerry Castellabate’s hard bangs and structured suits on Succession — is a pro at tough, slick surfaces with tangles of insecurity underneath. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024 In fact, according to the 2024 US Houzz Outdoor Trends Study, nearly three in five homeowners upgraded their home’s exterior wall surface (58%) this past year. Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
The stakes are particularly high for OpenAI and its rivals to surface accurate information about the US election next week. Shirin Ghaffary, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024 A bit of clear-eyed reality, though, has to be surfaced. Philip Elliott, TIME, 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
  • On the exterior, the home features wood shake roofing / shingles.
    Bay Area Home Report, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Also on Monday, a post-flight inspection of the exterior of a JetBlue aircraft used for a trip from Port-au-Prince to New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport turned up evidence that it had been struck by a round, the airline said in a statement.
    Jay Blackman, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Red Lobster emerged from bankruptcy in September under new ownership, led by one of its lenders, Fortress Investment Group, which has initially committed $60 million to revitalize the chain.
    CNN.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Sprawling cities in the South and Southwest emerged seemingly overnight, while new suburbs encircled older metropolises in the North.
    David Zipper, Vox, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • The Orediggers entered Saturday ranked 10th in the region and need to rise into the top seven in order to reach the postseason.
    Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 16 Nov. 2024
  • Shares of the company rose more than 6% Friday morning before the market opened.
    Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • But simply moving roles under different titles is a superficial change that does more harm than good.
    Forrester, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
  • If the first film expressed a fervent but surface-level appreciation for the outcast-character dramas of Martin Scorsese, this second one betrays not even a superficial adoration of the Hollywood musicals of old.
    A.A. Dowd, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Cline noted that the first gunfight in the film, set in front of a saloon, was among the most tricky to get right in terms of color and lighting.
    Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024
  • Wrapping her arm around Saint, the mother of four — who shares her children with ex-husband Kanye West — stood beside North, as Chicago hugged her big sister, while Psalm stood in front of Jenner.
    Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Perhaps the most tragic outcome of personal injuries, wrongful death claims arise when an individual dies due to the negligence or misconduct of another.
    Chris Gallagher, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
  • The charge is her latest criminal count that arose at the beginning of October after an altercation between her and a Center Township trustee during a public meeting.
    Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Arrow’s North Star was Lost, pairing the vigilante origin story of shallow rich kid Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) with the ongoing mystery of what happened to him during a five-year struggle to survive on a desolate island.
    Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
  • The shallow pool of providers, coupled with too few court examiners to oversee guardians’ work, has led to neglect, exploitation and abuse.
    Jake Pearson, ProPublica, 8 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • Fuentes then grabs the phone, takes it inside the house and appears to lock the door, and the video ends.
    Bruna Horvath, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
  • That mystery appears finally solved thanks to researchers in Purdue University’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS).
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near surface

Cite this Entry

“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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