Synonyms of on the surface

on the surface

phrase

as in seemingly

to all outward appearances

On the surface they seem to have a fairytale marriage, but those close to them know it isn't so simple.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• seemingly
• ostensibly
• supposedly
• apparently
• presumably
• evidently
• maybe
• visibly
• likely
• perhaps
• probably
• putatively
• obviously
• ostensively
• possibly
• outwardly
• externally
• clearly
• allegedly
• distinctly
• surely
• reportedly
• perchance
• credibly
• conceivably
• purportedly
• plainly
• positively
• manifestly
• reputedly
• supposably
• professedly
• presumedly
• believably
• assuredly
• mayhap
• self-evidently
• assumably

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incredibly
• impossibly
• improbably
• implausibly

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of on the surface

But the offensive fit of Antetokounmpo next to Bam Adebayo does not look seamless on the surface, and Antetokounmpo will need to stay healthy all season for Miami to contend. — Doug Haller, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Like its agricultural and horticultural counterparts, the monoculture of era-defining music, TV and movies seemed alluring on the surface. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

The daily realities that occur on the surface are merely collateral details in this quest. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Like water particles condense around the dust on Earth, droplets of sulfuric acid condense on the surface of the meteorite particles left hovering over Venus. — Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 1 Oct. 2026