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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
Immediately follow up with a nourishing lip balm or lip oil to make sure lips are well-hydrated and smooth. Claire Sullivan, WWD, 28 Feb. 2025 The fund would collect and reinvest revenues from Ukrainian natural resources, including deposits of oil and gas as well as rare earth metals and critical minerals, which are used in high-tech devices. Joanna Kakissis, NPR, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
While the citrus oils within marigolds can offer some protection, particularly with nematodes, this protection is still limited and is not an all-encompassing fix-all. Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2025 His jet-black hair is cleanly parted and oiled; his face, big and round. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oil
Noun
  • Among the highlights are exceptional still-life paintings by Jan Davidsz.
    Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • To date, Homes in Memoriam has completed 200 portraits of homes in the Palisades and Altadena, with 178 paintings in the works and counting.
    Jessie Schiewe, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Researchers at Dawn noticed that typical suds from Dawn Platinum deflated too quickly, which led to grease redepositing on large batches of dishes.
    Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Conservatives see in such a report only a vast political machine greased with the millions that each month line the pockets of federal jobholders.
    Marquis William Childs, Harper's Magazine, 19 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The shochu base lends a unique smoothness that is the perfect canvas for flavors to pop.
    Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Choose from denim to raffia, canvas to cotton velvet, sleek performance suede to sweet gingham linen.
    Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 28 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oil. Accessed 6 Mar. 2025.

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