skim

1
as in to flip
to turn over pages in an idle or cursory manner I'll just skim through a few styling magazines and see if something interesting catches my eye

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2
3
4
as in to bounce
to strike and fly off at an angle the rock just skimmed the surface of the water

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5
as in to peek
to take a quick or hasty look he impatiently skimmed through the book, looking for the specific passage he remembered seeing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of skim Most of the Wildcats’ most incisive passes skimmed across the turf, immune to the same gusts that could knock a long ball off-course in the air. Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025 May is when the action really kicks off, with live music every Sunday, a Pride weekend May 17 and 18, and the semi-thawing of Lake Reveal, a high alpine lake that skiers and riders try to skim—and often sink into. Anna Fiorentino, AFAR Media, 28 Feb. 2025 The storm comes hours after a system that skimmed much of the same region with little precipitation landed harder in some parts of the East Coast. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025 The civilians would no longer be shields for Hamas to place between itself and Israel, and Hamas would no longer be able to skim funds from the population’s aid. Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for skim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skim
Verb
  • About a dozen House conservatives ultimately flipped their opposition after receiving assurances from leaders that the Senate would pursue $1.5 trillion in savings, at a minimum.
    Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Two of those districts -- Pennsylvania's 8th, represented by Rep. Robert Bresnahan, and Colorado's 8th, represented by Rep. Gabe Evans, were flipped by Republicans in the 2024 election.
    Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • These are grown men with a never-die mindset flowing through their veins.
    The Athletic College Basketball Staff, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
  • Through two separate stories, the films reveal how an untraceable web of money from wealthy individuals and corporations representing business interests or religious agendas flows through nonprofits and super PACs (political action committees) to support candidates and political movements.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Fluoride urine levels vary widely throughout the day depending on hydration level, diet, as well as factors like whether a person has just brushed their teeth or drank a cup of tea, says F. Perry Wilson, a physician and professor of public health and medicine at Yale University.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Our intent was not to brush concerns under the carpet but to identify solutions.
    Raul Handa, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The ball bounced straight to Altuve, who secured it without issue.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
  • But on Thursday, in the minutes before the opener, the manager squatted down behind home plate to receive a pitch from Nelson Cruz. Cruz, who played for the Twins for parts of three seasons between 2019-21, bounced the ball, after which Baldelli embraced his former player.
    Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Afterward, peek through the windows into Kahan Art Space, a small art gallery down the block that closes at 6, or read a few more chapters on a bench at the charmingly rundown neighborhood park, Klauzal Square.
    Evan Rail, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Her baby hairs were wet and lived-in, peeking out of her scarf and sitting on what’s left of her blush.
    India Espy-Jones, Essence, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The gathering crowd was particularly entranced with the weighty, sculptural zipper pulls, which seemed to glide so much better than your standard-issue hardware.
    Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Shiffrin glided through the course at Sun Valley with a large crowd cheering her through every gate.
    Pat Graham, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Busch and his team would love to pose for more pictures kissing the bricks at IMS following Sunday’s race.
    Clifton Brown, Indianapolis Star, 17 July 2017
  • The trainer turns and kisses one of the man-eaters on the nose.
    Holly Millea, Smithsonian, 29 June 2017
Verb
  • While often skipped for the sake of time, a base of the best eyeshadow primer is crucial to ensure your work stays put throughout the day.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
  • In a practical sense, the move will allow Adams to skip directly to the general election in November, giving him more time to campaign unencumbered by the weight of his criminal charges.
    ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE, Time, 4 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Skim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skim. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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