OILY Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

oily

adjective

ˈȯi-lē

Definition of oily

as in soapy

overly or insincerely flattering an executive who surrounds herself with oily, sycophantic assistants

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 oily To combat oily roots while also adding some blow-out-worthy volume, the Style Edit Texture Boost Dry Texturizing Spray is your best bet. — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 28 July 2026 But replicating a Campbeltown style malt whisky still proved elusive, requiring shorter, squatter stills to produce a relatively heavy and oily distillate. — David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 Integral products in my lineup include a non-oily sunscreen, which my mom swears by, and an anti-aging face and neck cream. — Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 23 July 2026 Hassett’s tenacious acoustic guitar figure is stark and dusky like early Leonard Cohen, oozing low strings and a big oily bass. — Brian Howe, Pitchfork, 21 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for oily

Recent Examples of Synonyms for oily

Adjective

Hard plastic toys without electronics or stickers can be soaked in a tub filled with hot, soapy water and washed with a rag.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026
This dark, soapy comedy opens with a dramatic suicide and the promise that what led to it will be revealed.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 15 July 2026

Definition of soapy

Adjective

That’s why Law is a celebrity stylist; Law is known for curating sickening looks for his celebrity clients, but maybe sort of skimping out on himself, unfortunately.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 29 July 2026
There are also challenges for local businesses, which say customers are staying away because the stench is so sickening.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

Definition of sickening

Adjective

One defense, beginning in the late eighteen-hundreds, was flypaper, sheets of which were coated on one side with an oleaginous substance that lured flies, then permanently trapped them.

— David Owen, The New Yorker, 27 July 2024
Ted Cruz, the perennial front-runner, is smug and oleaginous—hated equally by his colleagues and the public.

— Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 26 Sep. 2022

Definition of oleaginous

Adjective

The unctuous and sweet char siu pork jowl is interspersed with green apple pressed with lime and ginger for a bright and crisp counter to the fatty pig.

— Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 16 June 2026
Made with the unctuous 8-percent-fat milk of the water buffalo—animals that may have arrived in the area via the Normans by way of Sicily, or perhaps by the Goths coming from Central Asia—buffalo mozzarella has been produced at least since the twelfth century.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026

Definition of unctuous

Adjective

Except for the unfettered devotion in the latter is replaced by swooping strings and a gushy chorus that merely offer an antiseptic veneer.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 June 2026
The announcement may come as a shock for country fans who have followed the couple through their sappy podcast appearances and gushy acceptance speeches.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2026

Definition of gushy

Adjective

Though mighty hagiographic, McPhee’s ability to break down a player’s gifts makes a poetic case for the game.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 18 June 2026
While these celebrity docs are hagiographic and formulaic, the interviews with Nadal and family and rivals like Federer and Novak Djokovic do push beyond the surface.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026

Definition of hagiographic

Adjective

On the reflecting pool, Pirro pursued the investigation despite what defense lawyers say was abundant evidence from the outset that the damage at the pool was the result of preexisting problems that had nothing to do with Hearn.

— Josh Boak, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
The Premier League’s collective wealth is abundant relative to the rest of the world but the ability to spend big year after year is concentrated in the hands of the few.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 5 Aug. 2026