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
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
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
-
Some recipes combine greasing and flouring the pan with parchment.—
Sheri Castle,
Southern Living,
15 Dec. 2025
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Recipes often call for greasing the pan with a thin layer of fat (and sometimes dusting it with flour, cocoa powder or sugar) to help the cake release from the baking pan.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oiling. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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