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
1
as in slicked
having or being a surface so smooth as to greatly reduce traction
following the fuel spill, the resulting oiled stretch of roadway had to be closed to traffic
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fried
slang
being under the influence of alcohol
Casino operators like to keep their guests oiled and willing to part with their money.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in greased
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
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Recent Examples of oil
Hanna Park, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, is back in business in Texas after the state removed it from a blacklist of financial firms that Republican officials deemed to be prejudiced against the oil and gas industry.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 5 June 2025
Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Her glowing and freshly oiled skin effortlessly catches the light, playing off her lacquered purple lips and vivid green eyelids for a look that’s equal parts daring and divine.
—Mecca Pryor, Essence, 21 Apr. 2025
Julia O'Malley, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Jan. 2023
Using oiled spoon, quickly spread brittle into thin, even layer, then sprinkle with salt.
—Woman's Day, 15 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for oil
Noun
The Coast Guard is working with crews using oil absorbent materials and skimmers to remove fuel from the water.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, is back in business in Texas after the state removed it from a blacklist of financial firms that Republican officials deemed to be prejudiced against the oil and gas industry.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 5 June 2025
Verb
There’s no evidence that the seed oils themselves are responsible for poor health outcomes, experts said.
—Jonel Aleccia, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Her glowing and freshly oiled skin effortlessly catches the light, playing off her lacquered purple lips and vivid green eyelids for a look that’s equal parts daring and divine.
—Mecca Pryor, Essence, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Sprinkle the oiled area generously with salt and pepper.
—Julia O'Malley, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Jan. 2023
Using oiled spoon, quickly spread brittle into thin, even layer, then sprinkle with salt.
—Woman's Day, 15 Dec. 2022
See All Example Sentences for oil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oil
Noun
-
Orlik used to glimpse Warhol paintings on the walls inside.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
17 June 2025
-
Meanwhile, photographer Morimura Yasumasa creates self-portraits that merge his own face with historical images and iconic paintings.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
But my favorite controversy came in the 1985 series, when the Flyers’ radical idea of letting their goalies have a water bottle on top of the net resulted in Glen Sather threatening to pull the Oilers off the ice while demanding to know whether buckets of fried chicken were next.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
16 June 2025
-
Much of Lucky Bird’s clientele are office workers who place orders for fried chicken sandwiches, tenders, wings and sides like cheddar jalapeño biscuits.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Paul left Robinson, a former NBA Slam Dunk champion, lying face-down on the canvas.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
-
Thirty-nine paintings on canvas and 21 on paper are installed chronologically, the works on paper selected from 70 made during Davis’ lengthy hospitalization.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
Watch out for slippery roads: The initial half-hour of rain is when roads are slickest due to a mixture of rain, grime, and oil.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Oc Register,
10 June 2025
-
For all the slick design deployed and mojo built in that opening blast, the sequence only temporarily masked what by that time was long clear in Denver: The Broncos had a bunch of guys at running back, but not the guy.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
The victims of drunk and/or drug driving are not the only people impacted.—
Duane O. King,
Baltimore Sun,
10 June 2025
-
And rather than exact revenge on a jock bully, nerdy William gets drunk, sheds his dorky image, and becomes a party god.—
Brian Boone,
Vulture,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
And save this hike for a dry day, as parts of the Loop trail will take you high above jungle gorges and the track can be slippery.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 June 2025
-
Watch out for slippery roads: Be extra careful during the first half hour after rain begins.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Of course, be mindful of where cords are running to prevent them from getting wet during our frequent spring and summer showers.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
20 June 2025
-
What To Know Between 12 and 24 inches of heavy wet snow are forecast to fall on the East Glacier Park region above 6,000 feet, and up to 6 inches below that altitude.—
Matthew Robinson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Adjective
-
The film starred Harbour as a drunken, disillusioned Santa Claus ready to hang up his hat when his sense of heroism is stirred by a young girl whose family is taken hostage.—
Michileen Martin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
-
In [apartment] 201 there were heartbreaks, there were loves, drunken parties with friends, with family—all the stories are there.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oil. Accessed 26 Jun. 2025.
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