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

The greatest problem with this nefarious pact is that much of it sounds on the surface to be reasonable, if not desirable.

From Los Angeles Times

Even the parts about protests sound, on the surface, no big deal.

From Los Angeles Times

"Satellite images, taken after the intervention, did not reveal the presence of bubbles or condensate on the surface of the water," the statement says, while expressing the commitment of both Senegalese and Mauritanian authorities to ensure continuous improvement in the management of the gas project's activities "in order to minimise the occurrence of such incidents in the future".

From BBC

Especially, perhaps, considering how charmingly lo-fi and “sloppy” a lot of it seems on the surface.

From Los Angeles Times

Artemis III would keep astronauts on the surface for more than a week and deliver payloads to help begin the foundation of a base.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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