on the surface

1. Superficially, to all outward appearances, as in On the surface he appeared brave and patriotic, but his troops knew better. [Early 1700s]

Example Sentences

In the Inland Empire, several fires have broken out on the surface of another landfill.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The increased supply of phosphorus benefits cyanobacteria that live on the surface of the brown algae.

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On the surface, the labor market data out today looked pretty grim, causing at least a few traders to rethink the odds of a December rate cut.

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But this sunsum feels different from the one I felt up on the surface—almost a different frequency.

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The head-shaped whatsit floated on the surface of a large puddle of uncertain depth, which no doubt had been left by the strong rains of the previous night.

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Related Words

• cursory 
• frivolous 
• one-dimensional 
• perfunctory 
• silly 
• sketchy 
• slight 
• trivial