superficial implies a concern only with surface aspects or obvious features.
a superficial analysis of the problem
shallow is more generally derogatory in implying lack of depth in knowledge, reasoning, emotions, or character.
a light, shallow, and frivolous review
cursory suggests a lack of thoroughness or a neglect of details.
gave the letter only a cursory reading
Example Sentences
Adjective The shallow end of the pool is only three feet deep. Her boyfriends were all shallow creeps. She could only take shallow breaths. His breathing became very shallow. Noun we waded through the shallows looking for tadpoles
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Still, there is a smattering of available films packing serious star power and prestige potential that could make big waves in shallow waters. Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2022 The shallow waters on Balaton's south side draw family vacationers to the beaches while the Blue Ribbon Grand Prix sailing regatta, ongoing since 1936, attracts more than 500 boats annually and thousands of spectators to the northern shores. Nathan Kay, CNN, 31 Aug. 2022 In the shallow bay waters along the shore at Silver Strand State Beach on Saturday, small stingrays flitted back and forth as children played nearby in the sand.San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Aug. 2022 Irrawaddy dolphins, considered a vulnerable species by International Union for Conservation of Nature, are found in the shallow coastal waters of South and Southeast Asia and in three rivers in Myanmar, Cambodia and Indonesia. Tassanee Vejpongsa, Hartford Courant, 29 Aug. 2022 Irrawaddy dolphins, considered a vulnerable species by International Union for Conservation of Nature, are found in the shallow coastal waters of South and Southeast Asia and in three rivers in Myanmar, Cambodia and Indonesia. Tassanee Vejpongsa, USA TODAY, 28 Aug. 2022 Irrawaddy dolphins, considered a vulnerable species by International Union for Conservation of Nature, are found in the shallow coastal waters of South and Southeast Asia and in three rivers in Myanmar, Cambodia and Indonesia. Tassanee Vejpongsa, ajc, 27 Aug. 2022 Irrawaddy dolphins, considered a vulnerable species by International Union for Conservation of Nature, are found in the shallow coastal waters of South and Southeast Asia and in three rivers in Myanmar, Cambodia and Indonesia. Tassanee Vejpongsa, BostonGlobe.com, 27 Aug. 2022 The dugong, a strictly marine herbivorous mammal, is known to slowly roam the coasts of tropical and subtropical countries, feeding on sea-grass beds in shallow waters. Karina Tsui, Washington Post, 24 Aug. 2022
Verb
Yelich doubled to shallow left, beating the shift of Red Sox third baseman Bobby Dalbec. Julian Mcwilliams, BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 Dowling then popped out to shallow right for the second out. Michael Casagrande | Mcasagrande@al.com, al, 22 May 2022 The positive vibe of a baseball game pitting division foes and two of the National League’s top pitchers changed in a hurry when the San Francisco Giants’ Tommy La Stella hit a popup to shallow left field in the fifth inning. John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 July 2022 Marte reached base on a bouncer, then Peralta followed with a soft liner to shallow left field to put two runners on base. José M. Romero, The Arizona Republic, 30 May 2022 With runners on first and second and two outs, Harris singled to shallow right. Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 14 May 2022 In his first game back, Moustakas' RBI to shallow right field was the difference. Charlie Goldsmith, The Enquirer, 14 June 2022 Pinch hitter Adam Engel reached on a double to shallow left on a ball that was just out of the reach of Rays shortstop Vidal Bruján. Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2022 Leeper flies out to shallow left and the runners have to hold at second and third.oregonlive, 4 June 2022
Noun
Reed’s friend and foil, CJ, mocks his activist jargon as shallow and performative, and his mother teaches him that successful organizing involves persuasion, listening and patience.Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022 In Inventing Anna, which is based on the New York story, Williams’s essay is treated like a shallow, self-serving version of New York’s in-depth reporting. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2022 These cornbread patties begin cooking with the addition of hot water to the batter, then shallow-fry in a skillet to crisp up. Vallery Lomas, WSJ, 18 Aug. 2022 Feelings that shallow will only cause issues down the road. Meredith Goldstein, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Aug. 2022 Baddoo, the left fielder, didn't help his starting pitcher after catching the shallow fly ball. Evan Petzold, Detroit Free Press, 3 Aug. 2022 There are also lots of those big channel cats being caught around the shallow reefs out on Lake Erie. D'arcy Egan, cleveland, 7 July 2022 Stealth is a major element in fishing shallow, often clear water. Bill May, Baltimore Sun, 17 July 2022 As for grilling, use a shallow, rimmed sheet pan — to catch all the juices — and cover with foil. Kim Sunée, Anchorage Daily News, 2 June 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English schalowe; probably akin to Old English sceald shallow — more at skeleton