1
as in to oil
to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction
make sure you grease the pan before you put the batter in
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to facilitate
to free from obstruction or difficulty
your help might grease the complicated adoption proceedings
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grease
Recipes often call for greasing the pan with a thin layer of fat (and sometimes dusting it with flour, cocoa powder or sugar) to help the cake release from the baking pan.
—
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
However, only Hudson’s roots were greased; her ends were glossy and straight without the appearance of hair gel.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 Dec. 2025
Where the red ball is greased and waxed before it is finished with a thin cellulose lacquer, the white ball has extra polish applied to it and the pink ball is given a thin spray-coat of paint before they are both finished with a slightly thicker lacquer.
—Matt Roller, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
Lightly grease a 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish.
—Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grease
The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2025
However, only Hudson’s roots were greased; her ends were glossy and straight without the appearance of hair gel.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 Dec. 2025
Where the red ball is greased and waxed before it is finished with a thin cellulose lacquer, the white ball has extra polish applied to it and the pink ball is given a thin spray-coat of paint before they are both finished with a slightly thicker lacquer.
—Matt Roller, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025
Lightly grease a 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish.
—Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for grease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grease
Verb
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Mohapi adds that oiling a dry scalp works best before washing, not after.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
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And also to oil a narrative first perfected by Fidel Castro and then by Chávez himself – both leaders in the Latin American left.—
Inés Capdevila,
CNN Money,
7 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Our role is to facilitate their dream.—
Jonathan Carone,
Parents,
13 Jan. 2026
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An official advisory board on worker justice could regularly meet with the mayor’s team, facilitating ongoing partnership and inclusion of worker voice.—
Terri Gerstein,
New York Daily News,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Just over a week later, Venus will appear above the waxing crescent moon, and below it, Jupiter and Mercury will be visible.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
31 Dec. 2025
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Someone else’s waxing is my at-home tweezing.—
Caroline Rothstein,
InStyle,
30 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The annual awards show is known for having flowing booze, which often helps lubricate the acceptance speeches, but things were oddly calm this year.—
Lisa Respers France,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
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This grease-like substance lubricates the joints, Fernandez says.—
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall,
Popular Science,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Now add a blob of water, wetting some of the sand.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Jan. 2026
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For suede boots, wet the entire surface with the vinegar and water solution to help keep the color even.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grease. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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