OILS Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

oils 1 of 2

noun

plural of oil

as in paintings

a picture created with oil paint that artist is known to have created only oils and charcoal sketches

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oils

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of oil

as in greases

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 oils

Noun

While some nations use krill meal as an additional food source for their people, human use of krill products is primarily through dietary supplements containing oils that are extracted from krill. — Kim S. Bernard, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026 With a mix of ultra-rich hydrating oils—including coconut, olive, and soybean—plus quillaja saponaria bark extract to gently slough away dead skin cells, this formula works as an intensive treatment to help repair skin overnight. — Mary Honkus, Glamour, 21 Aug. 2026 Pair your time in the pool with relaxing massages and facials, the former with organic oils scented with herbs and flowers from the island, and the latter with products from Rowse, the natural and cruelty-free cosmetics brand. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026 Heavy oils and butters Natural-hair routines can lean hard on oils, and sadly, that may work against you. — Ayren Jackson-Cannady, Allure, 20 Aug. 2026 Signature treatments harness antioxidant-rich wine extracts and oils, while the adults-only sanctuary features 14 treatment rooms, a vitality pool, sauna, steam room, ice therapy and an oceanfront fitness center. — Jill Schildhouse, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 People who sleep with minimal clothing or skip a nighttime shower are more likely to transfer oils, sweat, and dead skin cells directly onto their duvet covers. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Aug. 2026 If towels are feeling stiff, give them a deep clean to remove any lingering detergent or oils. — Emily Benda Gaylord, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026 Futuredew is a skin care-makeup hybrid that delivers sheer coverage while hydrating your face with squalane, hyaluronic acid, and a blend of jojoba, grapeseed, evening primrose, and rosehip oils. — Grace Scollo, InStyle, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

Ramakrishnan typically oils her hair twice a week before washing it. — Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for oils

Noun

The zaobanchu, located in the Forbidden City complex and around the country, had dozens of departments specializing in paintings, textiles, wood carving, materials and more — every minute aspect required to create elaborate pieces.

— Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Kristinka Lazar, for example, used the time as an artistic residency to create a collection of paintings called The Gift of Being Seen, featuring 45 portraits of local villagers.

— Liz Provencher, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of paintings

Verb

View this post on Instagram Access greases the gears of the entire apparatus by creating its own positive feedback loop, like an ouroboros of exclusivity.

— Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
No eyeball-grabbing videos, no partisan commentary or agenda, and none of the edge or snark that greases the gears of the perpetual-political-outrage machine.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026

Definition of greases

Noun

Preservationists have voiced concerns that vibrations created by the cars could damage artworks by cracking canvases or loosening mounts.

— Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
For these works, Warhol covered canvases in a metallic gold and copper background and had friends and acquaintances urinate directly onto them.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Aug. 2026