1
as in surface
lying on or affecting only the outer layer of something
a superficial scratch that barely even broke the skin
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2
as in shallow
having or showing a lack of depth of understanding or character
a superficial analysis of how the violence in video games affects young people
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Recent Examples of superficial
He was eventually arrested with what the sheriff’s office described as a superficial neck wound and brought to a nearby hospital for treatment.
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Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
On personal terms with past collaborators Deneuve and Chiara, Honoré ignores superficial celebrity to play with the prospect of spiritual empathy.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Feb. 2025
His estranged daughter Alexandra (Lizzy Caplan), a Congresswoman whose superficial resemblance to a real-life New York City politician with nearly the same name isn’t the least bit coincidental, is never around.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2025
These meaningful relationships can open doors, provide support and inspire growth in ways that superficial connections simply can’t match.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superficial
Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
On personal terms with past collaborators Deneuve and Chiara, Honoré ignores superficial celebrity to play with the prospect of spiritual empathy.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Feb. 2025
His estranged daughter Alexandra (Lizzy Caplan), a Congresswoman whose superficial resemblance to a real-life New York City politician with nearly the same name isn’t the least bit coincidental, is never around.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Feb. 2025
These meaningful relationships can open doors, provide support and inspire growth in ways that superficial connections simply can’t match.
—Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for superficial
Cite this Entry
“Superficial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superficial. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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