surface 1 of 3

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

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surface

2 of 3

verb

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

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2
as in to rise
to penetrate the surface (as of water) from below a submarine surfaced on the starboard side of the aircraft carrier

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surface

3 of 3

adjective

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

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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 surface
Noun
Estimates suggest that 92 percent of the 5.25 trillion plastic particles on the ocean surface are microplastics, according to a 2020 case study published by Science Direct. Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 8 July 2025 It’s made of durable polyethylene, rolls well over any surface, and has an easy-to-use handle. Taylor Fox, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
Verb
Four Gilbert council members, including the mayor, rejected public accusations that the city and its Police Department kept information hidden to protect one of the town attorney's nephews, whose name surfaced when police investigated a nearly fatal arson fire. Maritza Dominguez, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025 Even before her exit, Ortega's friends who had been managing the 25-year-old's Instagram account took a step back from posting about the show when Ortega's comments surfaced. Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 8 July 2025
Adjective
The battery life alone (23 minutes and 30 seconds) makes this one of the best cordless vacuums, but there are some additional unique features that helped this Eureka multi-surface model stand out to us. Alida Nugent, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2023 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 See All Example Sentences for surface
Recent Examples of Synonyms for surface
Noun
  • Often considered to be the first truly American style of architecture, Prairie homes typically have a low-slung, cantilevered roof; rows of windows; a brick or stucco exterior; and a large central fireplace.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 July 2025
  • Made with a trendy, puffy exterior, this spacious tote comes with a padded laptop sleeve, a discreet zippered side pocket (perfect for stashing your passport), and an expandable zippered bottom that can add 3.5 additional inches of storage space.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • American leaders in Washington cannot continue to rely on Beijing for materials while the Chinese are emerging as a military rival.
    Kamran Bokhari, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
  • Only a handful of deals have emerged in that time frame, including with the United Kingdom, China, and Vietnam.
    Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Office completions in 2024 fell to their lowest share of inventory since 2012 and are set to slow further, reflecting high vacancy rates, rising debt and construction costs, and falling office values.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 July 2025
  • Comparing unit prices at the grocery store, shopping the sale racks and collecting spare change are necessities for many Americans, who are coping with stagnant wages, rising prices and mounting bills.
    Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 10 July 2025
Adjective
  • But the dustup over the building renovation is just a superficial sign of the underlying tension between the administration and the central bank.
    Scott Horsley, NPR, 14 July 2025
  • These outcomes reflect the program’s focus on authentic skill development rather than superficial exposure.
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Jake Cronenworth flared a ball to right-center field that fell in front of diving center fielder Brandon Marsh and then bounced off his glove, allowing Cronenworth to jog into second with a double.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • Erosion from bulimia often affects the backs of the teeth more than the fronts, since stomach acid typically contacts the inner surfaces first.
    Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Legal complications have arisen since his version of events became a hit TV show.
    Latoya Gayle, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • When tech issues arise, fingers, by default, point at the IT team.
    Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Arrange lettuce wedges, rounded side down, on rimmed plates or shallow bowls.
    Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 7 July 2025
  • Much of the waterway is too shallow for vessels with the deep draft required for hauling heavy loads.
    arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • Home plate umpire John Bacon appeared to miss two pitches in that at-bat, which miffed Mendoza, who erupted out of the dugout, kicked some dirt and was quickly ejected.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 6 July 2025
  • There appeared to be no cohesive beauty look at Michael Rider's debut Celine show.
    Vogue, Vogue, 6 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Surface.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/surface. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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