1
2
as in to flow
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
a lone hang glider skimming along just above the treetops
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to brush
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
her hand just barely skimmed the wall as she ran down the hallway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
5
as in to peek
to take a quick or hasty look
he impatiently skimmed through the book, looking for the specific passage he remembered seeing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 skim
The last of the old space-skimming Starships lifted off in October.
—
Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
Styled by her go-to hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos, her hair fell in soft, undulating brushed out curls to skim her collarbones, swept up at the crown for volume and height.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 May 2026
Not to mention, its fit-and-flare silhouette is uniquely flattering, thanks to the body-skimming top and flowy skirt.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
Anyone who suspects their card was skimmed should contact their bank immediately, freeze or replace the card, monitor transactions, and report the suspicious pump to the station, police, and the FBI’s IC3.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for skim
Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026
Styled by her go-to hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos, her hair fell in soft, undulating brushed out curls to skim her collarbones, swept up at the crown for volume and height.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 May 2026
Not to mention, its fit-and-flare silhouette is uniquely flattering, thanks to the body-skimming top and flowy skirt.
—Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026
Anyone who suspects their card was skimmed should contact their bank immediately, freeze or replace the card, monitor transactions, and report the suspicious pump to the station, police, and the FBI’s IC3.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for skim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skim
Verb
-
Penta flipped Page off the top rope and then hit a springboard DDT for his closest nearfall of the match.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2026
-
Turning on production isn’t like flipping a switch.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
California air regulators approved a sweeping update of the state’s cap-and-invest program, tightening the pollution cap while reshaping how billions in climate dollars flow through communities and industry.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
As those creative juices start flowing, the superstar comedian realizes her illness might be fertile ground for a new special.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
While Hines expressed concern that the snakes could be venomous water moccasins, Kennedy ultimately brushed off her worries as the reptiles continued to thrash and buck in his hands.—
Drew Pittock,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
At first, my husband brushed them off as random expenses or transfers, but something felt off.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Garrincha, feeling increasingly abandoned and alone, bounced between the bar and the hospital, often on the same day.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
They were shockingly bounced in the first round after losing Game 7 to the Philadelphia 76ers.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
Looky-loos peeked through the windows.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
-
Kean resurfaces, talks to a reporter Nearly three months into his mysterious disappearance, Kean abruptly peeked back into public view on May 21.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
As the train climbs higher, sweeping mountain and valley views unfold on both sides, and in the colder months, skiers and snowboarders can be seen gliding down the slopes below.—
Lauren David,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
-
Those moisturizing ingredients help create a silky-smooth base upon which your razor can simply glide, even without the traditional soapy lather.—
Eden Stuart,
Allure,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Or when Vladimir demonstrates how to french kiss on Bruno’s arm.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
25 May 2026
-
On April 8, Jonas shared a photo on Instagram of himself kissing Malti on her head.—
Lexi Lane,
PEOPLE,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
Do not skip the ghindara no saikyo-yaki—a fillet of black cod marinated for 72 hours and cooked in sake, and wrapped in a Japanese magnolia leaf.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
-
Baby Golden appeared to skip the face paint.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skim. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
