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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of oil
Vincent Coyle Jr, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Since then, the government has made moves to diversify beyond oil, including by forming a company to invest up to $164 billion in regional infrastructure projects and installing a new head of its $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 22 Aug. 2025
M. Mick Powell
august 5, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
Mike Novosel rides in the back car of the Lightning Racer roller coaster at Hersheypark to oil the rails every morning prior to the opening of the park, June 16, 2015.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Sally Pasley Vargas, BostonGlobe.com, 17 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 oil and gas industry is investing in cleaner technologies like carbon capture, advanced drilling methods, and lower-emission fuels.
—Vincent Coyle Jr, Boston Herald, 22 Aug. 2025
Since then, the government has made moves to diversify beyond oil, including by forming a company to invest up to $164 billion in regional infrastructure projects and installing a new head of its $1 trillion sovereign wealth fund.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
In another poem, the same Love tends to her postpartum, parting and oiling her scalp.
—M. Mick Powell
august 5, Literary Hub, 5 Aug. 2025
Mike Novosel rides in the back car of the Lightning Racer roller coaster at Hersheypark to oil the rails every morning prior to the opening of the park, June 16, 2015.
—Sophie Clark, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Adjective
Place them on the oiled baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap.
—Sally Pasley Vargas, BostonGlobe.com, 17 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
-
Meduna controversially sought to block the natural light emanating through the neo Gothic arches on the main facade, in an attempt to protect the famed painting.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
4 Sep. 2025
-
How did those paleolithic people determine who would make the paintings, which of them possessed the requisite skill?—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Purple dough is wrapped around a juicy, savory filling and pan-fried to perfection.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Of course, fried chicken, instant ramen, soda, and chips share a certain inherent junkiness.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Its sturdy canvas provides structure and durability while the vegan leather trim adds a clean and modern look.—
Jeaneen Russell,
People.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The line channels the energy of New York City blending classic New York Yankees iconography with DKNY‘s signature downtown logo on a canvas of all-black ready-to-wear and accessories.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s a lot to like about the design—relatively slim, slick front- and back-end chassis lighting, a comfortable keyboard, and a nice display—and the performance is plenty capable.—
Matthew Buzzi,
PC Magazine,
3 Sep. 2025
-
And more often than not, the real experience at home failed to live up to the slick illustrations promised on the sticker of a Sega Genesis cartridge.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
There are some who earnestly enjoy it, but many more who are trying to get as drunk as possible and believe (accurately) that the Long Island Iced Tea is the quickest way to get there.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
30 Aug. 2025
-
Lots of drunk folks eat there all the time.—
Peter Burke,
FOXNews.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
What was surprising was how slippery the ball gets after a couple of throws, due to the moisture on the field.—
James Wallace,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The slippery tradition dates back to the Ottoman Empire.—
Daniel Wine,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
An in-use wiping cloth should still be wet and somewhat clean from being in a sanitizing solution when at rest.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle begins to slide uncontrollably on wet roads.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Earlier this year, Livonia police used a grappler to stop a drunken driver, according to media reports.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
29 Aug. 2025
-
Initially, police charged her with drunken driving manslaughter and fleeing the scene.—
Stepheny Price , Michael Ruiz,
FOXNews.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oil. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.
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