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
Phthalates also help lubricate substances and carry fragrances in personal care products, including deodorants; nail polishes; perfumes; hair gels, sprays or shampoos; soaps; and body lotions.
—
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for lubricate
Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for lubricate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lubricate
Verb
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Lightly grease 2 baking sheets; arrange knots 2 inches apart on baking sheets.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Apr. 2026
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View this post on Instagram Access greases the gears of the entire apparatus by creating its own positive feedback loop, like an ouroboros of exclusivity.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Getting a wing who can defend, shoot and dribble adequately would have oiled the cogs of an often clunky offense.—
Varun Shankar,
Houston Chronicle,
4 May 2026
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As with other criminal syndicates, the cartel has long oiled the gears of corruption with bribes.—
Steve Fisher,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lubricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lubricate. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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