Synonyms of oil

oil 1 of 2

noun

ˈȯi(-ə)l 

as in painting

a picture created with oil paint

that artist is known to have created only oils and charcoal sketches

Synonyms & Similar Words

• painting
• canvas
• oil painting
• watercolor
• mural
• fresco
• panorama
• drawing
• acrylic
• etching
• gouache
• pastel
• masterpiece
• tempera
• diptych
• distemper
• finger painting
• sketch
• aquarelle
• triptych
• showpiece
• pièce de résistance

oil

2 of 2

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

• grease
• wax
• lubricate
• wash
• slick
• wet
• water
• soak
• bathe
• drench
• douse
• souse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough
• dry
• roughen
• coarsen
• sear
• dehydrate
• parch

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of oil

Noun

As a result, shipping and satellite data show no tankers have loaded at Kharg Island, which handles nine out of every 10 barrels of Iranian oil exports, for at least a week. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

Thousands of gallons of crude oil were dumped into the river in May when a construction crew trying to lay fiber-optic cable hit a pipeline carrying the substance from Kern County to the Port of Los Angeles. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2026

Verb

Warm Wood with Brushed Brass Probably the most obvious sign your kitchen is not a member of Generation Alpha is warm wood cabinetry and brushed or oiled brass hardware, especially if both elements feature highly decorative details. — Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2026

At that point, a piston forces oil upward through small or large openings and valves, depending on the velocity of the impact. — Stephanie Pearson, Wired News, 3 June 2026

Phrases Containing oil

• oil painting
• oil the hand (of)
• oil the palm (of)