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

Layer an undershirt under sweaters and jackets to absorb sweat and body oils. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026 Dear Dahlia Lip Paradise Sensual Lip Glow delivers luminous color with an ingredient list (sweet almond, argan, and shea butter oils, and cacao seed butter) that reads like a lip treatment. — Elizabeth Siegel, Allure, 17 Sep. 2026 Laundry water carries detergent, dirt, oils and tiny fibers from fabric. — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026 Wear an undershirt beneath sweaters, button-downs or jackets to reduce contact with sweat and body oils. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026 Make sure skin is clean and dry so the patch sticks — skip body lotions or oils in this area. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 16 Sep. 2026 Triglycerides are found in foods like oils, animal fats, meat, and dairy. — Jillian Kubala, HEALTH, 15 Sep. 2026 As in most years, there was a healthy mix of media, including artists practicing ceramics, jewelry, photography, printmaking and oils. — Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026 It's estimated that the United States imports more than 40% of these oils from the Middle East, which has been dealing with disruptions to oil supplies since the start of the Iran war earlier this year. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 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

Don’t miss the compact but excellent Pera Museum, home to celebrated Orientalist paintings, Turkish ceramics and a café centred around a piano once owned by Maria Callas.

— Vicki Power, TheWeek, 14 Sep. 2026
The paintings depicted Liza Minnelli, Debbie Harry, and Queen Elizabeth II, among other famous faces.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 14 Sep. 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

Video showed water coursing down the front of the glass case protecting the fabled painting, which was unharmed, according to a gallery press release, as were the six other canvases nearby.

— News Desk, Artforum, 18 Sep. 2026
Her earliest textured paintings were relatively simple, but flowers and bold colors quickly began taking over her canvases.

— Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026