ooze 1 of 2

noun

ˈüz How to pronounce ooze (audio)
Definition of oozenext
as in mud
soft wet earth our car tires sank deep in the ooze

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

ooze

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to drip
to flow forth slowly through small openings maple sap oozed slowly from the cut in the tree and into the bucket

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to drag
to move slowly the line more or less oozes past the body lying in state, as mourners are not allowed to pause

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 ooze
Noun
Meanwhile, at the other end of the tunnel, Ruff reached a gloved hand into several inches of underwater microbial ooze. — James Dinneen, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026 Sailing’s songs tended to be cellophane-wrapped like candy; Pork Soda’s ooze together. — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026
Verb
Brought to life by creative director Roberto Menichetti, the lineup oozes elegant British craftsmanship, bringing Bond’s classic evening look into the modern day. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2026 Igor Chernyshov, San Jose Sharks The Sharks are oozing with dynamic, skilled young forwards on the way. — Harman Dayal, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ooze
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ooze
  1. mud
  2. drip
  3. drag
  4. sludge
  5. exude
  6. creep
  7. seep
  8. crawl
Noun
  • The Sense of Luxor treatment includes a detoxifying mud or nourishing chocolate wrap, followed by a reflexology sessions and a relaxing aromatherapy massage.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Nov. 2026
  • On Monday, Greg Ewing was among some 200 community members who used shovels and skid steers to remove the mud in Bradner’s neighborhood.
    — Christopher Weber, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of mud
Verb
  • In the heat and humidity of Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, that meant the shuttle stack would start to drip like a water bottle on a muggy day.
    — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Some insects, too, make their own form of milk—protein-laden fluids that drip from tiny spigots on their bodies, providing their wriggling babies with a head start.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of drip
Verb
  • Difficulties dragging the Tyler Technologies project over the finish line dogged Preckwinkle throughout the primary.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • No evidence of foul play was discovered, though the investigation dragged on.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of drag
Noun
  • The devolution of an image into melty sludge isn’t a new idea for book covers, but is used to great effect here.
    — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Tanks full of radioactive sludge exposed him to at least 48 potentially hazardous chemicals.
    — Lizz Giordano, ProPublica, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of sludge
Verb
  • Everything from the turndown service to the welcome drink with the hotel managers exuded the utmost in professionalism and discretion.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Librarian Regina Andrews, known for her salons, exudes the dignified air of a beloved host, vividly describing the communal groundswell every young thinker and creative then could sense happening.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of exude
Verb
  • As the temperature drops and winter dryness inevitably creeps in, this luxe, delectable formula will serve as your skin savior.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026
  • For months now, so much vitriol crept into our TVs, interrupting the Bears or your favorite college football team with a special message from a super PAC or a partisan looking to score points by smearing their opponents.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of creep
Verb
  • The smoke seeps deep into the meat and lingers on the skin, with a crackly brown surface punchy with cinnamon, allspice, ginger and thyme.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Amenities and experiences Dublin’s literary heritage, inspired by the likes of Oscar Wilde, seeps through the walls of The Wilder Townhouse and is reflected in thoughtful details throughout the entire experience.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of seep
Verb
  • However, a new type of gut-crawling worm being designed by engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), may actually be here to help.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Firefighters bravely crawled past the fire before hoses reached it to pull the five family members out.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of crawl

Browse Nearby Words

oops
ooze
oozed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ooze.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ooze. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on ooze

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ooze

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of quondam

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

The Words of the Week - Nov. 6

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All