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
Each package comes with a packet of coarse salt, and the instructions say to moisten the surface with water, shower on a little (or a lot) of salt, and warm the pretzel twists in a 350°F before diving in. Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2025 Place your hands on a surface (your desk, a chair, your lap) and press down lightly. Mark Travers, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
Brood 19 surfaced last summer, and is now enjoying a long rest before emerging again in 2037. Mary Carole McCauley, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025 The news comes after reports surfaced last month that the US had threatened to cut off access to Starlink if Ukraine failed to agree to a deal giving it access to mineral resources. Will McCurdy, PCMAG, 8 Mar. 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
  • For clever organization, snag the Lark Manor Thurleigh Ottoman, which has a soft fleece exterior, can double as seating, and hides a storage compartment.
    Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2025
  • One of those earlier safety campaigns, in June of last year, pertained to trim pieces along the exterior of the trunk bed that could come loose while driving.
    Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Viewers emerging from the work-at-home era may recognize themselves.
    Sarah Larson, The New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2025
  • So Is Trump being played or will something tangible emerge?
    Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Bentley says that 210 grams of 18-karat rose gold is present throughout the Black Rose’s decadent cabin, including on the dashboard, steering wheel, and drive mode selector.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The series is about two sisters, but for the first half of the season, even by splitting the narrative into a bunch of flashbacks, Long Bright River can’t find a way to make that relationship rise to the surface.
    Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The nurse sustained a superficial wound to his cheek and was treated off of the island, officials said.
    Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Consumers and fans connect with authenticity, not a superficial redesign.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 15 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The front features a trio of displays—a digital gauge cluster, the infotainment system, and an optional passenger screen—that span the length of the dashboard.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Firstly, Russia, has been inching forward in recent months on the eastern front (albeit at a huge cost to personnel and equipment), and inflicting almost daily aerial attacks on Ukraine’s cities.
    Clare Sebastian, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Financial institutions play a crucial role in accelerating these shifts in developing countries, with favorable loan terms aimed at reducing the challenges arising from structural issues.
    Suat Bakkal, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
  • The confusion arose over a bullet item referencing President Trump’s rollback of the monument designations in a White House fact sheet posted Friday that details the reversal of various Biden administration policies.
    Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • There are multiple issues with this shallow excuse.
    Gavriella Epstein-Lightman, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025
  • And like the community’s morel mushrooms that seem to grow well over shallow, hastily dug graves, there’s a sense of mulchy inevitability about it.
    Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Borg-Warner Trophy appeared in Victory Lane at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time in 1936, when Louis Meyer became the first three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500.
    Bruce Martin, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Chiu also wore a white Chanel cap that covered most of her hair, which appeared short in photos.
    Angel Saunders, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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