as in to grease
to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction
used a petroleum based machine oil to lubricate the gears
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Recent Examples of lubricate
Instead of forming the lubricating melt layer like water ice does on Earth, the material would sublimate, destabilizing the surface below the skis.
—
Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Inspect them for rust and any sticky residue which can be wiped away with WD-40 (which also help keep the hinges lubricated).
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
Foreign aid might lubricate that conversation too.
—Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Those seals need to be wiped clean periodically and lubricated.
—Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lubricate
Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Inspect them for rust and any sticky residue which can be wiped away with WD-40 (which also help keep the hinges lubricated).
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026
Foreign aid might lubricate that conversation too.
—Hana Kiros, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2026
Those seals need to be wiped clean periodically and lubricated.
—Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lubricate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lubricate
Verb
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Scott used comedy to grease the narrative wheels; here, the laughs tend to gum up the works.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
19 Mar. 2026
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In reality, according to a person with knowledge of the deal, Tal greased an employee from Griffin’s office to get the boss’s number, then called him incessantly.—
James D. Walsh,
Curbed,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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If your tofu sticks, the pan likely wasn’t hot enough (or oiled enough).—
Claire Saffitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
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Routine Maintenance for Your Butcher Block Keeping butcher block properly oiled is one of the best ways to protect it from wear and bacteria.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lubricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lubricate. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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