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
At dinner, our five-course feasts were lubricated by small-batch Peruvian wines.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
Though cold weather doesn’t have a direct impact on joints, Travis adds, it’s been shown to lead to thickening of the synovial fluid, which lubricates your joints and acts as a shock absorber.
—Alyssa Ages, Outside, 22 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for lubricate
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026
Though cold weather doesn’t have a direct impact on joints, Travis adds, it’s been shown to lead to thickening of the synovial fluid, which lubricates your joints and acts as a shock absorber.
—Alyssa Ages, Outside, 22 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for lubricate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lubricate
Verb
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No eyeball-grabbing videos, no partisan commentary or agenda, and none of the edge or snark that greases the gears of the perpetual-political-outrage machine.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
-
With the title in their grasp, the Ducks have greased up their fingers, fumbling into a four-game winless slump.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The setting is oiled by a drinks program that continues the marine theme, with cocktails using kelp infusions and botanicals from the Mount Nelson gardens.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
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Immediately oil the entire board (all six sides) and apply a food-safe beeswax cream to seal in moisture.—
Staff Author,
Martha Stewart,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lubricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lubricate. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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