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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Therapy rooms look out over the open ocean, as therapists deploy local oils, herbs, and spices via an imaginative roster of treatments. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026 Mature skin should be treated with a mild, non-irritating cleanser that won’t strip the skin of its natural oils or irritate dry and sensitive types. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026 Additionally, using a toothbrush and a little dish detergent can help remove oils and skin flakes. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026 Daniels wrote that El-Sabarum sold candles in a variety of shapes and colors, herbs, special oils, and amulets. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Since the scalp’s natural oils have a harder time traveling down the strands to fortify them, curly and coily hair types are more fragile and prone to damage. — Eden Stuart, Allure, 26 Oct. 2026 While in-office procedures and devices will give you the most noticeable results, consistent use of firming moisturizers and oils can make skin look perkier over time. — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 26 Oct. 2026 Modern hair oils blend botanical ingredients like argan, squalane and castor with lightweight silicones that seal the cuticle without the heavy, greasy feel of older formulas. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2026 Why hair oil matters for frizz and humidity Frizz is the problem oils handle most visibly. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 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 National Gallery of Art acquired two paintings by the artist in 2014.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
The home’s character especially comes through in its artwork—namely the large-scale paintings hung throughout the living and dining spaces.

— Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of paintings

Verb

Rectitude is a hindrance in the game of electoral politics, where money greases the slippery pole and glad-hands welcome the winner with inside information.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026
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

Definition of greases

Noun

This deal includes a T-PEN stylus with 4,096 pressure levels, making creating digital art and writing feel as natural as possible without lugging around all your paints, pens, and canvases.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 23 Oct. 2026
Like late de Kooning, the picture plane has been emptied of people, just Alex and his canvases.

— Dodie Kazanjian, Vogue, 19 Oct. 2026