as in painting
a picture created with oil paint
that artist is known to have created only oils and charcoal sketches
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of oil
New York Times, 16 May 2026
No one on the island, with the exception of certain high-ranking officials, can escape the challenges presented by the lack of oil, Piñon said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 May 2026
Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Mar. 2026
If your tofu sticks, the pan likely wasn’t hot enough (or oiled enough).
—Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oil
Noun
His visit came just as the Cuban government admitted that its oil reserves have run dry and coincides with efforts by federal prosecutors to secure an indictment against Raúl Castro for drug trafficking and the 1996 downing of humanitarian planes.
—New York Times, 16 May 2026
No one on the island, with the exception of certain high-ranking officials, can escape the challenges presented by the lack of oil, Piñon said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 16 May 2026
Verb
When the first suitor failed to bend the bow in order to string it, Antinous rebuked him and had a fire made up to warm lard with which to oil the bow.
—Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Mar. 2026
If your tofu sticks, the pan likely wasn’t hot enough (or oiled enough).
—Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oil
Noun
-
Visiting the painting will be available as a separate attraction that requires its own ticket.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
19 May 2026
-
The building’s original interior — including one of the largest courtrooms in the state, a decorative wall, ceiling paintings, small wood balconies and patterned floor coverings — were restored in the early 2000s through the Texas Historical Commission’s program.—
Tanya Babbar,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Fire ants are attracted to grease, so clean up any spills around your trash cans.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 May 2026
-
Lightly grease 2 baking sheets; arrange knots 2 inches apart on baking sheets.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her blank-canvas stare allowed viewers to more easily project their experiences onto her, and perhaps even exorcise their frustrations through Mary’s problems.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
Known for transforming urban graffiti into collectible fine art, Kongo approached the Black Badge Cullinan as a moving canvas.—
Matthew MacConnell,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oil. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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