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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of surface
Rachel Hope Cleves / Made By History, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Use parchment paper or plastic wrap will help keep your cooking surfaces clean.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Feb. 2025
Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2025
Bonta’s name has also surfaced in documents related to the recent indictments of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and her associates, who were indicted by federal authorities last month.
—Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2025
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 
Noun
On the surface, dietary advice to eat more vegetables hardly seems pernicious.
—Rachel Hope Cleves / Made By History, TIME, 14 Feb. 2025
Use parchment paper or plastic wrap will help keep your cooking surfaces clean.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Feb. 2025
Verb
In 2023, a Venetian boat company banned the couple after images surfaced of them in a compromising position in the back of a water taxi.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2025
Bonta’s name has also surfaced in documents related to the recent indictments of former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and her associates, who were indicted by federal authorities last month.
—Grant Stringer, The Mercury News, 6 Feb. 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
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With a very unassuming exterior, quite Zen and humble, this Japanese-centric restaurant eschews flash for flavor.—
Laura Ness,
The Mercury News,
9 Feb. 2025
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The Merino wool exterior ensures warmth, while the fleece lining is soft and cozy on my ears.—
Hannah Freedman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Virgin Voyages Adults-only cruise line Virgin Voyages – a relative newcomer to the industry – emerged as the winner in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Georgia, BetMGM found.—
Nathan Diller,
USA TODAY,
11 Feb. 2025
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Groups emerged that were dedicated to helping people find missing animals, while local veterinarians offered free services to those injured.—
Kristin Deasy,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The average tariff on all U.S. imports would rise from less than 3% to about 20%, Ashworth estimated.—
Paul Davidson,
USA TODAY,
17 Feb. 2025
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Heavy rain continued to produce serious flooding across parts of the Southern United States on Sunday, where rapidly rising floodwaters inundated roadways and spurred some evacuations.—
Daniel Amarante,
ABC News,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Even seemingly superficial exchanges have deeper meaning. Need a break?—
USA TODAY,
USA TODAY,
7 Feb. 2025
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What’s emanating out of her is this quiet, intense truth, coupled with this incredible, superficial vulnerability.—
William Earl,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Past the mound and huddled behind the screen, pitching coach J.P. Martinez was joined by Webb, Verlander and Robbie Ray — one of several early indications that the accomplished front of the Giants rotation will be actively guiding the young pitchers who will comprise the rest of the group.—
Andrew Baggarly,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
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Then from his seat in the front row, Bad Bunny rushed up to the stage to lower the microphone.—
Lucas Villa,
Rolling Stone,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The idea for a chess tournament contested by NFL players arose through Rensh’s friendship with Larry Fitzgerald, the legendary former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver and an avid chess player.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN,
9 Feb. 2025
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Life’s Building Blocks Inside an Asteroid: Scientists studying samples that NASA collected from the asteroid Bennu found a wide assortment of organic molecules that shed light on how life arose.—
Matt Richtel,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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It's made worse by a shallow, rubbery typing feel—keystrokes are quiet but uncomfortable.—
PCMAG,
PCMAG,
10 Feb. 2025
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Other symptoms include severe depression; discharge from eyes or nose; rapid, shallow breathing, difficulty breathing; and sneezing or coughing.—
Susanne Rust,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In late January, the iconic funny man appeared on 101.1 The Wiz, reacting to a slew of rappers performing at Donald Trump‘s inauguration.—
Marc Griffin,
VIBE.com,
11 Feb. 2025
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Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more.—
Stacia Datskovska,
WWD,
11 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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