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
One of the gentlest is WD-40, which loosens rust, lubricates parts, and helps protect the surface from further rusting.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 July 2025
Regular gravel grinding means regularly washing your bike and lubricating the chain.
—Eric Bangeman, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2025
Saliva also helps lubricate the mouth, which facilitates chewing or mastication.
—Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 8 July 2025
This hydraulic fluid is used to lubricate internal parts of the power steering system.
—Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lubricate
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 July 2025
Regular gravel grinding means regularly washing your bike and lubricating the chain.
—Eric Bangeman, ArsTechnica, 25 July 2025
Saliva also helps lubricate the mouth, which facilitates chewing or mastication.
—Amy Marturana Winderl, SELF, 8 July 2025
This hydraulic fluid is used to lubricate internal parts of the power steering system.
—Keenan Thompson, USA Today, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lubricate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lubricate
Verb
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Meanwhile, lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
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With a shiny, almost mirror-like glaze, and tender ultra-moist crumb, this recipe is well worth the pain of greasing every nook and cranny of a Bundt pan to make.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the big keyhole was plain, oiled, in use.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Push tortilla rounds into muffin wells, oiled side down, to make little cups. 3.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lubricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lubricate. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
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