1
2
as in to flow
to move or proceed smoothly and readily
a lone hang glider skimming along just above the treetops
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to brush
to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing
her hand just barely skimmed the wall as she ran down the hallway
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of skim
In 2017, a previous version of the car skimmed a cyclist in London, leading to some bad press, so this latest iteration has been programmed not to overtake cyclists, horse riders, or anything slow-moving on the road.
—
Carlton Reid, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The right dresses will skim over your body without clinging.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
But Andreeva was already racing to the right spot, and flicked a forehand that skimmed the net at a sharp angle.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for skim
Carlton Reid, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
The right dresses will skim over your body without clinging.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2025
But Andreeva was already racing to the right spot, and flicked a forehand that skimmed the net at a sharp angle.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for skim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skim
Verb
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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
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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
Verb
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The rich sat on deck while the poor were squeezed in the hold below, with no place to relieve themselves, so excrement, vomit, and other wastes flowed down into the lower areas.—
Lauren Vuong,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2025
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The liquor flows so freely that the rest room nearly becomes a vomitorium.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
19 Apr. 2025
Verb
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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
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Our intent was not to brush concerns under the carpet but to identify solutions.—
Raul Handa,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Carrying enough momentum, the wheel hit the rear of Suárez's car, bounced, and hit the gas man lightly.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
-
Even if the ping-pong balls don’t bounce their way, a very good prospect will be there for the taking.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Then, to my astonishment, two slender blue-white streaks appeared, faintly at first, then slightly brighter, like a pair of angel wings peeking through some wondrous celestial realm.—
Blane Bachelor,
AFAR Media,
9 Apr. 2025
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Its original formula peeks in at the misbehavior of mostly white American characters set loose on vacation spots that allow for the display of modern-day colonialism — first Hawaii, then Italy, and now Thailand.—
Armond White,
National Review,
9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The razor was easier to use on wet skin because the water and soap provided more lubricant to glide along my legs, but the dry shaving was also easy and painless.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
11 Apr. 2025
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Cotton has a rougher feel, whereas silk pillowcases have a smoother, more frictionless surface that not only feels super luxurious but also allows your head to glide effortlessly.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Other sweet shots include Harley kissing her fiancé in his arms, and two celebratory engagement cakes.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
24 Mar. 2025
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After the buzzer sounded, Pope ran over to hug his wife, Lee Anne, and kissed his daughters near the bench before running off to a TV interview.—
Jesse Temple,
The Athletic,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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But there are instances when patients may be able to skip the test or opt for a method that doesn’t expose them to radiation, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound.—
Jamie Ducharme,
Health,
18 Apr. 2025
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Millet plays with the title and with the idea of atavism, in which an ancient trait asserts itself by skipping forward a few generations to suddenly appear in the gene pool.—
Heather Scott Partington,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skim. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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