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oil

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verb

as in to grease
to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction if you oil the machinery on a regular basis, it will operate more efficiently

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of oil
Noun
Ukraine has 109 significant mineral deposits, including those with ores of titanium, lithium and uranium, according to a list compiled by the Kyiv School of Economics, in addition to oil and natural gas fields. Constant Méheut, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025 Someone with dry skin hoping to achieve a natural radiance might prefer a dewy finish; whereas, someone headed to a red carpet or photoshoot might appreciate a matte finish that blurs the look of pores and counteracts excess oils. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2025
Verb
Lightly oil your knife or coat with nonstick spray and cut the caramel into 1 inch squares. Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 7 Jan. 2025 The spray-on scent has a skin-softening base of sweet almond, macadamia, argan, and apricot kernel oils. Jenny Berg, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for oil 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oil
Noun
  • In addition to the wealth of historical knowledge on view, the exhibition also presents contributions by contemporary Indigenous artists working in painting, sculpture, and video, as well as traditional arts like basket weaving and canoe making.
    Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 17 Feb. 2025
  • His profile is featured in one of the most famous paintings in American history.
    Michael Peregrine, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Unsalted butter: Butter greases the dish but melted butter infuses the custard mixture with some more flavor and succulent flavor.
    Anna Theoktisto, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Last Sunday, Philly built corrals around poles in Center City, instead of greasing them, the Inquirer reports.
    Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 29 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The seal said the canvas came from a shop that supplied artists in Montmartre in the early 1900s, but there were no clues about who made the painting.
    The Editors of ARTnews, ARTnews.com, 6 Feb. 2025
  • The first patch that fell off had been on my butt, one of three permissible canvases for estradiol patches, the other two being abdomen and thigh.
    Nell Beram, Allure, 5 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near oil

Cite this Entry

“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oil. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

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