as in painting
a picture created with oil paint
that artist is known to have created only oils and charcoal sketches
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
as in to grease
to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction
if you oil the machinery on a regular basis, it will operate more efficiently
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oil
Munir Ahmed, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
The spot price of Brent crude, the international standard for oil prices, was above $94 on Saturday, up more than 30% since the war started.
—Munir Ahmed, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 17 Jan. 2026
Ramakrishnan typically oils her hair twice a week before washing it.
—Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oil
Noun
Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz has largely cut off the Persian Gulf and its oil and gas exports from the global economy, sending energy prices soaring.
—Munir Ahmed, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026
The spot price of Brent crude, the international standard for oil prices, was above $94 on Saturday, up more than 30% since the war started.
—Munir Ahmed, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
Prevent rust by cleaning cast iron right after cooking, drying it thoroughly, and oiling it every time.
—Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 17 Jan. 2026
Ramakrishnan typically oils her hair twice a week before washing it.
—Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oil
Noun
-
Of that, 1 million euros will be paid to the Opera Gallery, an international art dealership that owns the painting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
And the gatherings staged at the branches around the county are wide-ranging — from veterans meetings at the Chickasaw branch and a chess club in Winter Garden to acrylic painting in Eatonville and family board games Saturdays at the southeast branch, north of the airport.—
Scott Maxwell,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
Noun
-
Originally introduced in 1944—made of builders’ canvas for hauling ice—it’s still made in Maine, one tote at a time, tested to hold 500 pounds.—
Amanda Eyre Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
13 Apr. 2026
-
The bag, usually a canvas tote, is filled with screen-free activities to keep you away from your phone.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oil. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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