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

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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 Every touch seems to leave behind an oily smudge on stainless steel. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2026 The result is usually a fruity and oily whiskey that is a wonderful sipper when produced and matured using the right methods. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 Aug. 2026 My skin felt super soft, and—more importantly in this humid weather—looked less oily and brighter the next morning. — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026 Over time, these harsh or oily formulas leave behind residue that dulls the shine and attracts dirt, making your floors look cloudy instead of clean. — Martha Stewart, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oily

Recent Examples of Synonyms for oily

Adjective

For spot control, soapy water sprays work better than a dusting of cornstarch and don’t leave a gummy film.

— Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026
Food Preparation Items Always use hot, soapy water when cleaning food preparation items, such as cutting boards, knives, and cookware.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of soapy

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 pastry is a light and airy conveyance to the unctuous, creamy foie within, while the crackly layer of flour, sugar, and butter that crowns each treat lands a contrasting crunch.

— The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Played with unctuous authority by the multilingual Danish performer Claes Bang, Kersten claims to have used his influence to obtain the freedom of thousands of concentration camp prisoners, and is obsessed with winning a Nobel Prize.

— Alissa Simon, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of unctuous

Adjective

But something about the Ferris wheel, summer sunsets and general overindulgence convinced me that Wisconsin State Fair might just be the perfect place for romantic declarations, first dates, and altogether gushy moments.

— Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2026
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

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

Price controls don't make scarce goods abundant, risky loans safe or bad choices cost-free.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026
Some 350 million years ago, the Carboniferous Period was a fecund era in the planet’s history; plant life was abundant and the earth was warm and wet.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026