as in greasing
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
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Recent Examples of oiling
Prevent rust by cleaning cast iron right after cooking, drying it thoroughly, and oiling it every time.
—
Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 17 Jan. 2026
Mohapi adds that oiling a dry scalp works best before washing, not after.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
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
Lightly oiling the cutting board so nothing sticks will also make rolling easier, along with allowing yourself a few tries to get the hang of it.
—Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Lightly oiling the cutting board so nothing sticks will also make rolling easier, along with allowing yourself a few tries to get the hang of it.
—Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 7 Aug. 2025
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
Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 17 Jan. 2026
Mohapi adds that oiling a dry scalp works best before washing, not after.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
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
Lightly oiling the cutting board so nothing sticks will also make rolling easier, along with allowing yourself a few tries to get the hang of it.
—Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
Lightly oiling the cutting board so nothing sticks will also make rolling easier, along with allowing yourself a few tries to get the hang of it.
—Gretchen McKay, Twin Cities, 7 Aug. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oiling
greasing
Verb
-
Todd starred in these films for over 20 years, greasing lines all over Wyoming’s Tetons, California’s Sierras, and Alaska’s Chugach mountains that other skiers and snowboarders didn’t even think were ridable.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Foil can stick or tear without greasing.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oiling. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
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