as in greases
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 lubricates
Sitting for extended periods, staying in the same position during sleep, or otherwise not moving much can reduce levels of synovial fluid, the gel-like substance that lubricates joints.
—
Kristen Fischer, Health, 17 Apr. 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
This grease-like substance lubricates the joints, Fernandez says.
—Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Popular Science, 7 Jan. 2026
Writing essays, in the same way, lubricates my writing of fiction and vice versa—by distracting me and taking my thoughts elsewhere.
—Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Doing so primes your nervous system and lubricates your joints for the standing, lifting and sitting ahead.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 24 Nov. 2025
Water regulates body temperature and lubricates your joints.
—Rebecca Valdez, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025
Kristen Fischer, Health, 17 Apr. 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
This grease-like substance lubricates the joints, Fernandez says.
—Sarah Lindenfeld Hall, Popular Science, 7 Jan. 2026
Writing essays, in the same way, lubricates my writing of fiction and vice versa—by distracting me and taking my thoughts elsewhere.
—Literary Hub, 6 Jan. 2026
Doing so primes your nervous system and lubricates your joints for the standing, lifting and sitting ahead.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 24 Nov. 2025
Water regulates body temperature and lubricates your joints.
—Rebecca Valdez, Verywell Health, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lubricates
Verb
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
Ramakrishnan typically oils her hair twice a week before washing it.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lubricates.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lubricates. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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