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
Though many cooking oils can fit into a healthy diet, there are a few factors that dietitians use to narrow down the healthiest cooking oil. Jillian Kubala, Health, 6 Oct. 2025 Makeup, oils and dirt can quickly build up on the brushes — and on your skin. Cody Godwin, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025 Rancidity is when the oils in nuts break down, causing the nut to smell sharp, sour, or like paint. Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025 The bubbles pop and release dirt and oils from all kinds of items that can be both difficult and frustrating to clean. Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025 In 2010—back when the same Republican Party that now flags the dangers of food dyes and seed oils was portraying Let’s Move! Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025 Elemis’ Superfood Facial Oil is packed with almost too many skin-saving oils to count. Lily Wohlner, Allure, 2 Oct. 2025 In particular, TikTokers have posted about the effects of magnesium lotion, oils and sprays to induce sleepiness when used on the bottoms of the feet. Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oils
Noun
  • In store, local shoppers can also browse the plein air paintings by Central Virginia artist Leah Doise.
    Brennan Long, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Noir is a quaint coffee shop where white walls are a canvas for paintings by a rotation of local artists.
    Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 3 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
  • While the figures in some of the larger canvases are reminiscent of Lucian Freud’s twisting and turning sitters, Daushvili’s strongest work is not monumental but small and intimate.
    Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Within days, though, the posters became protest canvases.
    Jordan Blum, Fortune, 3 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 Oct. 2025.

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