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
Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
The technical term is triboelectricity, which arises from the accumulation of opposite electric charges on the surfaces of two different materials due to contact with each other.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
In the nearly four years since the Georgia Guidestones were blown up under the cover of darkness, little has surfaced about the attack.
—Thad Moore, AJC.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Destroyer Squadron 15 said the war game improved overall interoperability among the four forces in advanced maneuvering scenarios, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, information sharing and maritime operations.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surface
Noun
Rather than replacing the island’s aging pipe system, the approach would largely rely on the existing drainage network to collect rainwater and funnel it into wells, where it would be injected below the surface into porous rock formations.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
The technical term is triboelectricity, which arises from the accumulation of opposite electric charges on the surfaces of two different materials due to contact with each other.
—ArsTechnica, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
The painting, now held by the Prado, has previously surfaced at auction.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 Apr. 2026
In the nearly four years since the Georgia Guidestones were blown up under the cover of darkness, little has surfaced about the attack.
—Thad Moore, AJC.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
The proposal includes a tennis center with multi-surface courts, hotels, water polo facilities, retail, a wellness center and stadium to host soccer matches.
—Walker Armstrong, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Destroyer Squadron 15 said the war game improved overall interoperability among the four forces in advanced maneuvering scenarios, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, information sharing and maritime operations.
—Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surface
Noun
-
Another stadium change sparks old NFL debate While the Mercedes-Benz logos will be returned to their place on the facade after the tournament, Atlanta Stadium's exterior isn't the only area experiencing a major change.—
Irene Wright,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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Beyond the stylish exterior, it’s packed with practical safety details, including a locking zipper compartment, slash-resistant construction, and an additional zippered interior pocket to keep valuables tucked away.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Erdoğan first emerged during the post-Cold War decade of unipolar, American triumph, adopting the language of free markets, liberalism, and human rights, and stretched those politics of optimism into the brief euphoria of the Obama years.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
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As mental health becomes more visible and financially supported through employer programs and policy initiatives, questions may emerge around intention and alignment.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But they are expected to rise with tightening supplies of fuel and fertilizer.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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To address rising demand of lithium The USGS projects that global production capacity will double by 2029 to address rising demand from technology companies.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
However, the defense argued that the blood spatter evidence at the scene matched an accidental fall and that Kathleen's scalp lacerations were only superficial and didn't cause her death.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
-
More often those concert performances help pump up a flashy, superficial look at an enigmatic artist whose closest connections were of the animal variety (Bubbles gets screen time; ditto a giraffe, a llama and a big snake).—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Jonathan Melo was assaulted in front of an apartment building on Beach Ave.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The Seahawks leaned on a collective pass rush rather than one dominant star, finishing the season as one of the league’s more effective defensive fronts.—
Jackson Thompson OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Such heavy loads of dust are generally thought to arise much later in cosmic history than circa 400 million years after the big bang, the epoch at which this newfound galaxy appears.—
Jenna Ahart,
Scientific American,
30 Apr. 2026
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Working with predominantly Latino families, Barba said the nine-week intervention, which usually consists of six to 10 community members, became a way to help people deal with fear arising from the immigration enforcement activities happening in Lake County as well as throughout the Chicago area.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Sophomore reliever Mason Almazan coaxed a shallow fly out with a runner at third to end the game.—
Patrick Z. McGavin,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The mammal’s health deteriorated as it became repeatedly stranded in shallow waters, and unsuccessful efforts to coax it toward deeper seas were livestreamed across the globe.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Another, from 2009, is dominated by the profile of what appears to be a guard dog gripping a black hunk of something unidentifiable.—
Ben Davis,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Another wide receiver, a tight end, a linebacker, a safety and a defensive tackle would appear to be near the top of the list of priorities, not necessarily in that order.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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