oils 1 of 2

plural of oil

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
Brazil French press is one of our favorites because its fine-mesh filter keeps out grit but allows the beans’ natural oils and flavors to come through, resulting in a bold brew with a rich mouthfeel. Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 Oct. 2025 Mahama wants Ghana to move past mining and agriculture into processing and agribusiness, including foods and beverages, refined vegetable cooking oils and things like that. Charlie Campbell, Time, 30 Oct. 2025 This was the most Zen hospital room of all time — crystals and candles, herbs, incense, oils, spices and tea. Ahmir “questlove” Thompson, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 2025 The researcher highlighted the potential of this technology beyond jet fuel, noting it can be applied to other oils for Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2025 Every ingredient, from the noodles to the soup base to the oils and toppings, are made from scratch every day, Ota said. Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025 These oils are all emollients, which are substances that soften and soothe skin. Sherri Gordon, Health, 29 Oct. 2025 The combination of seven botanical origin oils is instantly nourishing on the skin and hair. Ellie Davis, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2025 Hold the lemon peel by its long edges, skin facing down into the glass, pinch the peel to release the citrus oils then discard the lemon peel. The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oils
Noun
  • Others recalled seeing them in one of their vehicles with the dogs, but that was years ago too, as was their last appearance at Jinja, a restaurant Gene once partly owned with the aforementioned Doug; Gene’s paintings still brighten the walls.
    Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The protests stretched beyond India’s borders, too, with London’s Asia House controversially canceling an exhibition of Husain’s work in 2006, citing security concerns, after Hindu groups demanded its closure and vandals defaced two of his paintings.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Judge and Schwarber would be dangerous against any league, but my point is that instead of two leagues with distinct rivalries and stars, baseball is now one big, generic blob, which only greases the skids for Manfred’s geographical realignment dream.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2025
  • That greases the skids of trust and softens skepticism.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Needlepoint Did your grandmother spend her time needlepointing canvases that never made it to a finished product?
    Heather Bien, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025
  • The characters from Malczewski’s canvases march through successive decades, fighting and fleeing various yokes.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oils. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

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