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Showing results for superficial. Search instead for supercivil.
Definitions

superficial

[soo-per-fish-uhl] / ˌsu pərˈfɪʃ əl /
ADJECTIVE
without depth, detail
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 on the surface 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

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.

But “Alpha” rarely transcends its intellectual trappings or superficial themes.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

“He was a scrupulously superficial man, believing so fervently in the magic of surfaces that his fervor almost passed for profundity,” Mr. Junod writes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

X on Friday denounced what it called the EU's "incomplete and superficial investigation".

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

He suffered only superficial burns, a chipped ankle and an injured shin.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

Social observations: very superficial as yet; I have been moving about too much to make coherent social observations.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin