on the surface

Definitions

In terms of outward appearance rather than underlying reality.

At the exterior or uppermost layer of something.

Examples

On the surface, the two companies seem to have very different goals, but they share a common vision.

The lake appeared calm on the surface, but strong currents were moving beneath the water.

Synonyms

apparently outwardly superficially ostensibly seemingly externally visibly

Antonyms

inwardly internally deeply genuinely truly essentially fundamentally