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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of oil
Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Very slowly pour in oil, whisking constantly, until emulsified, about 2 minutes.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2025
When making thin-crust pizzas, avoid oiling or greasing the pan; instead, sprinkle some cornmeal or semolina to prevent sticking.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oil
Noun
Norway was not especially affluent until the extraction of oil from the North Sea, in the seventies, began to raise the standard of living dramatically.
—Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Very slowly pour in oil, whisking constantly, until emulsified, about 2 minutes.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2025
Verb
And Anderson, working with the cinematographer Michael Bauman, has devised a visual style that’s mesmerizing in its flow, with lavishly detailed images oiled with a dark ’70s grunge.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Sep. 2025
When making thin-crust pizzas, avoid oiling or greasing the pan; instead, sprinkle some cornmeal or semolina to prevent sticking.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oil
Noun
-
Previous gallery@ projects have included developing a custom Circulose denim canvas for Kiril Jeliazkov’s Lamborghini 60th Anniversary painting in partnership with Treun House Atelier and Automobili Lamborghini.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Decades later, in 1956, the masterpiece suffered another assault when a visitor hurled a stone at the painting, chipping pigment near her left elbow.—
Barney Henderson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Take the talks on full-year appropriations bills, which could grease the Senate floor for a compromise three-bill package with the House and potentially another package of funding bills.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Lightly grease three ¾-inch-wide whisk or wooden spoon handles.—
Jenavieve Christensen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The house’s logo take on a minimalist form here, and the bag itself is made from a combination of sturdy aluminum and chic canvas for a luxurious finish.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
2 Nov. 2025
-
There were defensive heroics galore and multiple late home runs that drew the Dodgers off the canvas.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oil. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share