1
as in fake
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
an unctuous effort to appear religious to the voters
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in oily
overly or insincerely flattering
an unctuous appraisal of the musical talent shown by the boss's daughter
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unctuous
Pasta sauces are unctuous, and the tiramisu made my lactose-intolerant dining companion giddy.
—
Kendyl Kearly, Baltimore Sun, 25 Nov. 2024
For cooking the aromatic vegetables, but also dotted overtop, butter seeps into the breadcrumbs and crisps up the top for an unctuous, golden bite.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
Stir-fry noodle dishes like crystal-clear glassy jap chae ($19) and chewy udon ($19) noodles deliver more simple comfort, tossed with tender-crisp veggies in unctuous soy and oyster sauces, respectively.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2024
The 31-year-old sherry bomb explodes in torrents of coconut and pineapple fruit before an unctuous, lingering finish of tobacco smoke.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unctuous
Kendyl Kearly, Baltimore Sun, 25 Nov. 2024
For cooking the aromatic vegetables, but also dotted overtop, butter seeps into the breadcrumbs and crisps up the top for an unctuous, golden bite.
—Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
Stir-fry noodle dishes like crystal-clear glassy jap chae ($19) and chewy udon ($19) noodles deliver more simple comfort, tossed with tender-crisp veggies in unctuous soy and oyster sauces, respectively.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 23 Sep. 2024
The 31-year-old sherry bomb explodes in torrents of coconut and pineapple fruit before an unctuous, lingering finish of tobacco smoke.
—Brad Japhe, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unctuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unctuous
Adjective
-
At times, these characters surrounded by the green and gold blur of jungle and sunshine almost look fake, or as if they’re being shot in a studio.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
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The goal of creating a convincing but fake person is at the core of A.I.’s origin story.—
Jaron Lanier,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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If that’s not enough to grab your attention, the serum is also dermatologist-tested and suitable for all skin types, including dry, sensitive, combination, and oily skin.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
21 Mar. 2025
-
Designed to remove peach fuzz and help the skin absorb oils, serums, and moisturizers, the wee tool—clocking in at just under six inches—can also help balance an oily complexion.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
McIlroy bogeyed the island-green hole after missing a 9-foot putt for par, but Spaun fared far worse, sending his tee shot into the water and eventually making triple bogey, including missing a 10-foot putt for double.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Mar. 2025
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This was a record turnaround among SpaceX launches from Space Coast launch pads at 2 hours and 54 minutes besting October’s double launch that saw a Falcon 9 launch at CCSFS just eight hours, 42 minutes after a Falcon Heavy launch at KSC.—
Richard Tribou,
Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
One defense, beginning in the late eighteen-hundreds, was flypaper, sheets of which were coated on one side with an oleaginous substance that lured flies, then permanently trapped them.—
David Owen,
The New Yorker,
27 July 2024
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At any moment, the noodles might dissolve, the cheese topping burn, the dish collapse into a soggy, oleaginous mess.—
Isaac Butler,
The New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2023
Adjective
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By After Testing Over 30 Best Sellers By Siena Gagliano Unlike balms, which can make lip color slide around, a primer locks it in while keeping lips soft and comfortable.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
2 Mar. 2025
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For lip color, reach for the Merit Beauty Signature lipsticks.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The disconnect between the reality that many people are currently experiencing hunger, in part because of climate change, and this fancy dinner was sickening.—
The Dial,
The Dial,
18 Mar. 2025
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The ceaselessly rolling, jolting boat was sickening to him, too.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Her framework moves beyond superficial advice, addressing the root causes of insecurity while offering practical tools for lasting change.—
Angela Lei,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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Due to its mild alkaline (acid-reducing) effect and abrasive texture, baking soda can help remove superficial stains and reduce bacteria in the mouth.—
Cristina Mutchler,
Health,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The conference illuminated the increasingly strained relationship between Israel and its traditional allies in the West, which have grown uneasy with Israeli politics and the direction of the country’s devastating war in Gaza.—
Julia Frankel and Leo Correa,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2025
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Customer calls have surged, the Washington Post reported Tuesday, prompting long wait times for callers dialing into strained offices, where employees have few answers to give on recent changes.—
Avery Lotz,
Axios,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unctuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unctuous. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.
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