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
Yes, even if your skin is oily.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
For oily skin, a lightweight gel formula is a good fit.
—Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
This lightweight moisturizer for oily skin is perfect for those prone to breakouts or irritation, but people with dry, flaky skin may want a thicker cream to help heal the skin barrier.
—John Monaco, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
Anyone who is pregnant, plans to become pregnant, or can become pregnant, and those who are breastfeeding, should limit oily fish to two portions per week.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oily
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2026
For oily skin, a lightweight gel formula is a good fit.
—Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026
This lightweight moisturizer for oily skin is perfect for those prone to breakouts or irritation, but people with dry, flaky skin may want a thicker cream to help heal the skin barrier.
—John Monaco, InStyle, 1 Apr. 2026
Anyone who is pregnant, plans to become pregnant, or can become pregnant, and those who are breastfeeding, should limit oily fish to two portions per week.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oily
Adjective
-
After taking care to wash down and sanitize any surfaces used to rinse the ribs or surfaces near the rinsing area, wash your hands with hot, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.—
Stacey Lastoe,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Bref 2 has been big in France, Rivals has created a lot of buzz in the UK, France-originated show The Lost Station Girls did really well in Latin America, and soapy Turkish dramas have travelled.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
In a sickening moment broadcast live after Boyes’s shot missed, Long moved quickly about, shooting many hostages.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The feds also looked over Bied’s sickening business partnership with his co-conspirator in Indonesia, who Bied purchased multiple orangutan and Javan leopard skulls from.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
His widow doesn’t exactly look too broken up; less than a week after his death, Lee spots her snuggling with Dale’s brother Donald, an oleaginous candidate for governor played by Kyle MacLachlan.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
Ella Stiller arrives as Patience, Valerie’s social-media guru, Jack O’Brien sweetly plays her new hairdresser, and Andrew Scott, doing the most to eradicate any lingering Hot Priest vibes, plays a wildly unctuous NuNet executive.—
Jennifer Silverman,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2026
-
For the richest, densest, most unctuous quiche, choose heavy cream.—
Georgeanne Brennan,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Social Security Administration sent a gushy, questionable email July 4 to millions of people collecting Social Security benefits and others.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
-
The chatter has only grown in recent days, after Ms. Anderson — who just celebrated a birthday — posted a story on her Instagram account, showing a lavish bouquet of flowers and a gushy card from an admirer.—
Jesse McKinley,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
But all the myth and sorrow around the dynasty mean many takes tilt hagiographic.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The Gracious Visionary is a rather hagiographic film title for one’s life and work.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Hematite, an abundant iron oxide better known as rust, and its one of the most common minerals on Earth.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Duck, North Carolina A town as quaint as its name, Duck—home to fewer than 1,000 residents—is abundant in both waterfowl and welcoming charm.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oily. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
