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

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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 This is not an oily, greasy ramen, but rather light and flavorful. — Kim Kay, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2026 Another new player is added to the mix in Damien Cantor (Harry Lloyd), an oily media mogul who’s introduced to Taverner by Judd over a lunch that quietly turns into an ambush. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026 Who actually needs digestive enzymes Signs of a genuine enzyme deficiency include diarrhea, stomach pain, bloating, unexplained weight loss and fatty or oily stool that floats. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026 Light Fixtures and Switches Wipe light fixtures and switches regularly to prevent greasy buildup and remove oily fingerprints. — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for oily

Recent Examples of Synonyms for oily

Adjective

Wipe the backsplash weekly with hot, soapy water to remove residue and prevent tough buildup.

— Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2026
Any items or surfaces that may have come into contact with the eggs should be washed and sanitized using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher.

— Amber Brenza, HEALTH, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of soapy

Adjective

Beyond the ugly-duckling implications and the patent objectification and humiliation of women, the show’s portrayal of plastic surgery itself struck me as dark and sort of sickening.

— Jolene Edgar, Allure, 2 Oct. 2026
Perhaps the most sickening part of the entire encounter is that both Oleynik and Kravchenko are seen holding the turtle's hatchlings, posing for photos and smiling as if everything is cool.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 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

Book a sunset seating and pair unctuous langoustine nigiri and wagyu tataki with beautifully balanced cocktails flavored with yuzu, Japanese ume apricots, and cherry blossom.

— Rachel Howard, Travel + Leisure, 26 Sep. 2026
Tucci co-wrote the script (with his cousin, Joseph Tropiano) and co-directed with actor Campbell Scott, who also plays a supporting role in the film as an unctuous Cadillac sales man.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 20 Sep. 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

Such hagiographic descriptors are applied to nearly all of Hagwon’s striving middle-class characters as well as most of its wealthy ones.

— Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of hagiographic

Adjective

Hydrogen-boron fusion, by contrast, relies on comparatively abundant fuels and primarily produces charged alpha particles rather than high-energy neutrons.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
Jazz was financially accessible, the culture was alive and shows were abundant.

— Mary Carreon, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of abundant

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“Oily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oily. Accessed 6 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of oily

adjective

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