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
Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
On the surface, this shift has the potential to accelerate China’s ascent as a global power, potentially granting the world’s second-largest economy space to win more allies, boost its global leadership and shift global norms and rules – such as those on human rights or security – in its favor.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 26 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
Because of the absence of liquid water on Mars’s surface today, those rusty red minerals were thought to arise from dry iron oxides present in the dust, such as hematite.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
On the surface, this shift has the potential to accelerate China’s ascent as a global power, potentially granting the world’s second-largest economy space to win more allies, boost its global leadership and shift global norms and rules – such as those on human rights or security – in its favor.
—Simone McCarthy, CNN, 26 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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Not to mention the color, durability, extra storage, and waterproof exterior were perfect!—
Jennifer Vermeer,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Feb. 2025
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The exterior of the machine just needs a wipedown with a damp cloth.—
Michelle Love,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Despite emerging from very different galaxies, FRB 20240209A and FRB 20200120E shared many similarities.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
25 Feb. 2025
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The image that emerged is of a rare private-sector voice literate in both climate science and financial markets—and one willing to make the business case for climate to any audience.—
Justin Worland,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The watch includes a spinning roulette wheel in a 44-mm rose gold case.—
Mikelle Street,
WWD,
28 Feb. 2025
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The shift may not only draw anger from Israel's emboldened far right but also aggravate divisions within Trump's own administration between an old conservative guard seeking a more assertive posture on Iran and the rising cadre of Trump loyalists who more closely share the president's vision.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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His estranged daughter Alexandra (Lizzy Caplan), a Congresswoman whose superficial resemblance to a real-life New York City politician with nearly the same name isn’t the least bit coincidental, is never around.—
Daniel Fienberg,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Feb. 2025
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These meaningful relationships can open doors, provide support and inspire growth in ways that superficial connections simply can’t match.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 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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Initially, speculation arose that Bybit would need to buy back ETH on a 1:1 basis to compensate affected users, potentially driving a significant price rally.—
Alice Liu,
Forbes,
21 Feb. 2025
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However, in rare cases, certain complications can arise after the procedure.—
Suchandrima Bhowmik,
Health,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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According to Storyful, the fish was spotted along shallow waters of a Baja California Sur beach on Feb. 9.—
Jessica Botelho,
Baltimore Sun,
20 Feb. 2025
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Lake Louise is the classic place for skating in the national park, but closer to Banff, the Vermilion Lakes, 1.5 miles from town and reassuringly shallow, make a good alternative.—
Cindy Hirschfeld,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Both women had been bludgeoned and hacked with what appeared to be a hatchet.—
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,
arkansasonline.com,
24 Feb. 2025
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During a scene in the second episode of season 3, which aired on Sunday, Feb. 23, a familiar voice appeared on the other end of a panicked phone call from Jason Isaacs’ Timothy Ratliff.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
24 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to surface
Cite this Entry
“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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