oils 1 of 2

Definition of oilsnext
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
Apply these oils with a spray bottle near potential entry points to help keep crickets out of your home. Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 16 May 2026 Natural pesticides offering some downy mildew control include need oils and copper fungicides. Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026 Most municipal water is treated with chlorine or chloramines, both of which strip the skin’s natural oils and break down moisture retention over time. Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026 It can also be released by cooking fats and oils at high temperatures, and has been found in water produced by oil and gas operations and is an ingredient in some pesticides used in irrigation canals. Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026 Lightweight is best, as heavy oils and occlusives can trap heat and worsen inflammation. Kara Nesvig, Allure, 14 May 2026 The pieces are cleaned thoroughly to remove any oils that would interfere with adhesion. Kansas City Star, 14 May 2026 Bubble Up has a more natural taste than many of its competitors because it’s made with pure cane sugar and lemon and lime oils, rather than high-fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors, The Tasting Table reported. Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026 The man who admits to snorting cocaine off of toilet seats is suddenly concerned about seed oils. Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 8 May 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
  • Nearby a glass wall that overlooked the second floor of exhibiting galleries, Sharon Stone was sharing photos of her own paintings with Frieze executive Simon Fox.
    Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 14 May 2026
  • The pas de deux between Billy and Kris is entrancingly sexy, and the film’s love relationship to movie magic is just as romantic, from Anderson’s grand-dame costuming to the matte paintings that serve as backdrops in both the film-within-the-film and the one containing it.
    Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 May 2026
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
Noun
  • Johnston complemented the canvases with a towering light fixture.
    Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 9 May 2026
  • Cole’s canvases were synthetic constructions teeming with homilies.
    Sebastian Smee, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Oils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oils. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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