as in soapy
overly or insincerely flattering
an executive who surrounds herself with oily, sycophantic assistants
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oily
Those in need of deeper nourishment will appreciate Laneige’s Cream Skin or Ilia’s The Base Face Milk, whereas oily and or combination skin should look to Violette_FR’s Boum-Boum Milk or The Ordinary’s Saccharomyces Ferment 30% Milky Toner which skews more oil-free and mattifying.
—
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
There, the bird joined bald eagles on nearby rocky cliffs to feast on spawning capelin, a type of small, oily fish that lives in northern waters.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
Other foods that might (or might not) help include berries, citrus fruits, dark green leafy vegetables, garlic, nuts, oily fish, olive oil and seeds, as these foods contain antioxidants such as vitamin C, omega-3 and selenium, which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
Lastly, rely on a featherweight veil of setting powder strategically placed to the T-zone and oily areas to control excess shine then mist on a dose of setting spray.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for oily 
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
There, the bird joined bald eagles on nearby rocky cliffs to feast on spawning capelin, a type of small, oily fish that lives in northern waters.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025
Other foods that might (or might not) help include berries, citrus fruits, dark green leafy vegetables, garlic, nuts, oily fish, olive oil and seeds, as these foods contain antioxidants such as vitamin C, omega-3 and selenium, which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025
Lastly, rely on a featherweight veil of setting powder strategically placed to the T-zone and oily areas to control excess shine then mist on a dose of setting spray.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for oily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oily
Adjective
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There is just cause for the soapier parts: Manet was married, and Morisot wed his brother.—
Julie Belcove,
Robb Report,
23 Nov. 2024
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The group that seems to have inspired Reid is Fleetwood Mac, which, with its shifting intramural love relationships, sundry drug problems and issues of control — the soapiest of rock’s many operas — was a romance novel/miniseries waiting to happen.—
Robert LloydTelevision Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2023
Adjective
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Respiratory viruses are continuing to spread across the United States, sickening millions of Americans.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
20 Jan. 2025
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Escaping the sickening air pollution triggered by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles has become a game of which algorithm to trust.—
Paresh Dave,
WIRED,
16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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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Mandelson is a deeply charming, borderline unctuous character.—
Sam Knight,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
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The pickled mustard seeds provide little pears of flavor and an edge of acid that cuts through the unctuous dish.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The chatter has only grown in recent days, after Ms. Anderson — who just celebrated a birthday — posted a story on her Instagram account, showing a lavish bouquet of flowers and a gushy card from an admirer.—
Jesse McKinley,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2024
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There’s no better time to embrace the mushy gushy than in the first few moments after winning gold medals together.—
Meg Linehan,
The Athletic,
10 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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Likewise, Hollywood stars were adored in hagiographic terms.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
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Recording a song for the hagiographic Ronald Reagan movie but not his own biopic?—
Chris Stanton,
Vulture,
25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Magnesium is an abundant body mineral in many foods and some common medicines.—
Melissa Nieves,
Verywell Health,
23 Jan. 2025
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While the beach is certainly the main attraction around here, the multi-level infinity pool and on-property casino add to the already abundant charm.—
Jared Ranahan,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near oily
Cite this Entry
“Oily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oily. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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