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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
One unit for inmates had a painting on one wall featuring a covered wagon.—
Heather Hollingsworth,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2025
Adjective
-
But unfortunately, indulging too much in fried foods will trigger your cortisol.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
25 June 2025
-
Those two disparate memories become a bowl of Venetian-style risotto with a small mound of rock crab meat sourced from that same crabbing boat and a fried egg espuma in the middle.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
18 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
-
Patches are also gaining prominence as a canvas for differentiation and personalization.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
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
-
And maybe a little drunk and sick from all that oily food and crappy wine.—
Helen Schulman,
The Atlantic,
26 June 2025
-
But try bouncing from a pop star version of 1500s English queen Anne Boleyn to a drunk 1985 housewife to a lusty 1955 teenager.—
Jed Gottlieb,
Boston Herald,
22 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
-
Then there’s Adam’s cravat-wearing boss, played by an equally slippery Matthew Modine.—
Nina Metz Chicago Tribune,
Boston Herald,
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
-
When the humidity is factored in, the heat indices and wet bulb globe temperatures will be at dangerous levels for activity, exertion, and our infrastructure.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
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
-
Even what seems like a one-time drunken slipup with a stranger is usually rooted in something deeper.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oil. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share