as in painting
a picture created with oil paint
that artist is known to have created only oils and charcoal sketches
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
President Harry Truman revived the idea in 1949, at one point proposing to purchase the island from Denmark in exchange for $100 million in gold and oil rights in Alaska.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 5 Feb. 2026
Inés Capdevila, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025
Lightly oil a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oil
Noun
Every Texan should have a equal share of that resource and control just as oil is a resource.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
President Harry Truman revived the idea in 1949, at one point proposing to purchase the island from Denmark in exchange for $100 million in gold and oil rights in Alaska.
—Eric Cortellessa, Time, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
And also to oil a narrative first perfected by Fidel Castro and then by Chávez himself – both leaders in the Latin American left.
—Inés Capdevila, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025
Lightly oil a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oil
Noun
-
Harrell says 60 new businesses and amenities have opened in the last 18 months, including pilates and yoga studies, an indoor golf simulator and DIY painting and art event spaces.—
Vivian Song,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The geometric lines of the table are tempered with the organic, landscape painting and sculptural lamps and bowl.—
Alexandra Kelly,
Martha Stewart,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lightly grease paper with softened butter.—
Holly Riordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Apply the paste to grease stains and let the paste sit for a couple of minutes.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Across the spring runways, designers leaned into bold hues as a canvas for expression.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Like a memory, his geometric canvases unfurl to display the agony of living through ceaseless violence and death.—
Anya Sesay,
jsonline.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oil. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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