oil 1 of 3

oil

2 of 3

verb (1)

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

oiling

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of oil
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

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
Noun
The stabilizing device featured a 400-ton concrete block on a film of oil that would slide in the opposite direction to the building’s motion to counteract swaying. Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025 The White House has clumsily proposed sanctions on India for massive purchases of cheap Russian oil, but not yet imposed them on Russia’s biggest customer, China. Trudy Rubin, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
The heirloom isn’t trouble-free, Monreal says, requiring winding every month and oiling its wood once every year. William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025 Generously oil the grates, then add the chicken and cook until the bottom is charred, 5 to 8 minutes. The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for oil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oil
Noun
  • Shop for antiques, clothing, birdhouses, leather, mid-century furniture, paintings, cutting boards, and more.
    Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2025
  • In the contemporary landscape, Glasgow continues to be a crucible for innovation through alumni such as Jenny Saville, renowned for her large-scale, visceral figurative paintings that challenge conventional representations of the body.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Its 45-foot-long cabin, and a generous ceiling height of 6 feet, 2 inches, gave Larrañaga an ample blank canvas.
    Daniel Cote, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2025
  • Natural stone, wood and muted textures create a serene canvas, allowing the ever-changing Mediterranean light and vibrant rhythms of island life to become part of the design itself.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oil. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

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