SUPERFICIALLY Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

superficially

adverb

as in minimally

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

as in imperfectly

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 superficially Further, conditions such as major depressive disorder and schizophrenia likely have several subgroups that superficially resemble each other but develop through different mechanisms and pathways. — Anand Kumar, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026 Anna Anosowicz’s highly resourceful production design makes excellent use of existing midcentury brutalist architecture and far more ancient, enduring structures, all moldering under superficially futuristic window-dressing. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026 Tony Dalton brings impressive menace to a superficially affable sheriff, and Laura Donnelly strikes the perfect balance between femme fatale and innocent love interest. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2026 His brother and grandparents were injured, but only superficially. — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026 Unlike traditional microneedling, which uses metal needles inserted and withdrawn, spicules embed superficially and shed with normal skin turnover over a few days. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 27 July 2026 Many of the devices employed during segregation, such as poll taxes, grandfather clauses, and literacy tests, were superficially race-neutral. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026 Never water superficially but always give the root ball a good soaking. — Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2026 This requires that practitioners in this area have a deep understanding of the facts of a particular case and not approach the UPEPA superficially. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for superficially

Adverb

The only way to keep pushing forward was to have biweekly angioplasty surgery, a minimally invasive medical produce used to open blocked or narrowed heart arteries.

— Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Aug. 2026
The underlying problem was an intestinal condition that doctors can fix with a routine, minimally invasive surgery, experts who reviewed Malone’s death records said.

— Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of minimally

Adverb

The department exists to preserve some semblance of equal justice in the United States — imperfectly, haltingly, often overbearingly for some and cautiously for others — and help ensure that the nation is governed by the rule of law.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2026
Rather than suffering because leaders acted imperfectly, organizations often suffer because leaders waited too long to act at all.

— Irma Becerra, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of imperfectly

Adverb

This pick has a slightly boxy cut and just-so crop, which feels modern without requiring you to flash your belly button to the masses.

— Annie Blackman, InStyle, 29 Aug. 2026
Everyone in Los Angeles apologized to me about the weather, which was warm, breezy, and ever so slightly overcast—in short, perfect.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of slightly

Adverb

The Dodgers walked off the Cardinals with a 3-2 victory Thursday, narrowly avoiding a series sweep at Dodger Stadium.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Just like the Tour was fortunate to avoid the enormous wildfire on the outskirts of Bordeaux by two weeks in July, the Vuelta had narrowly escaped being affected.

— Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of narrowly

Adverb

In the last decade and a half, a carrousel of feuding political factions took turns governing, all inadequately.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
Last year Lee was questioned by legislators after the audit found staffing shortages and process failures had left thousands of cases inadequately investigated, including serious injuries and deaths.

— Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of inadequately

Adverb

The applause barely stopped, and the crowd sang along to every word as well as danced in their seats throughout the entire two-and-a-half-hour show.

— Nada Aboul Kheir, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
That’s a lot to think about barely two months away from a consequential midterm election in which voters will choose a new second-in-command.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of barely

Browse Nearby Words

superficiality

superficially

superficies

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Superficially.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/superficially. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of superficially

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

matriculate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes