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Definitions

on the surface

ADJECTIVE

one-dimensional

Synonyms

STRONGEST

peripheral shallow sketchy warped

WEAK

apparent casual cosmetic cursory depthless desultory empty evident exterior external flash flimsy frivolous general glib half-baked hasty hurried ignorant inattentive lightweight nodding ostensible outward partial passing perfunctory quick-fix seeming shoal silly skin-deep slapdash slight smattery summary surface tip of the iceberg trivial uncritical

ADJECTIVE

outward

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apparent noticeable

WEAK

evident exterior external from within observable obvious open ostensible out outer outside over perceptible superficial surface to the eye toward the edge

Antonyms

STRONGEST

obscure

WEAK

invisible inward

ADJECTIVE

skin-deep

Synonyms

WEAK

apparent casual cursory empty flimsy meaningless one-dimensional shallow trivial

ADJECTIVE

superficial

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cursory frivolous one-dimensional perfunctory silly sketchy slight trivial

WEAK

apparent casual cosmetic depthless desultory empty evident exterior external flash flimsy general glib half-baked hasty hurried ignorant inattentive lightweight nodding ostensible outward partial passing peripheral quick-fix seeming shallow shoal skin-deep slapdash smattery summary surface tip of the iceberg uncritical warped

Antonyms

STRONGEST

complete important mature sensible serious significant thoughtful wise

WEAK

analytical careful deep detailed genuine thorough

ADVERB

ostensibly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

evidently officially seemingly supposedly

WEAK

at first blush externally for all intents and purposes for show on the face outwardly professedly sensibly superficially to the eye

Antonyms

WEAK

improbably obscurely unlikely

ADVERB

outwardly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

seemingly superficially

STRONG

externally

WEAK

apparently as far as one can see evidently for all intents and purposes in appearance officially on the face of it ostensibly professedly to the eye

Antonyms

WEAK

inside internally inwardly privately

ADVERB

superficially

Synonyms

STRONGEST

outwardly

WEAK

apparently at first glance carelessly casually externally extraneously flimsily frivolously hastily ignorantly not profoundly not thoroughly once over lightly ostensibly partially skim to the casual eye

Antonyms

WEAK

carefully deeply thoroughly

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Thus, on the surface, the lyrics of “Y.M.C.A.” seem to promote the Young Men’s Christian Association and their new single-room occupancy units of the time.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

The discovery centers on SLAMF6, a molecule found on the surface of immune cells that can prevent T cells from mounting a strong attack against tumors.

From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026

The bosses on the show all have different styles and expectations that may seem demanding or annoying on the surface.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

Ranked 114 places higher than Urhobo, Boulter was the favourite on paper - but limited exposure to clay has sometimes meant she has struggled against lower-ranked opposition on the surface.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

The glowing embers drifted down slowly, gently, dying sizzling deaths on the surface of the water, and Akira got a sinking feeling in her stomach.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

on the surface

Example Sentences

Related Words