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.

“It’s a terrible idea to move swiftly and not have the really complicated and challenging process that is required to actually work towards more than a superficial pretense of revisionist history,” Gudis said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

That goal becomes difficult when students feel pressure to hide their true opinions, making connection superficial at best.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

The panel said the statement did not make any reference to the victims of his offences and "any remorse shown was superficial in its nature".

From BBC • Feb. 20, 2026

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

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

Is he superficial, or is it shyness that holds him back, even with me?

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

superficial

Example Sentences

Related Words