OLEAGINOUS Synonyms: 51 Similar and Opposite Words

oleaginous

adjective

ˌō-lē-ˈa-jə-nəs

Definition of oleaginous

as in oily

overly or insincerely flattering the office manager greeted the corporate bigwigs with an oleaginous welcome that should have embarrassed him

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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 oleaginous 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 The interludes make for juicy lampoons of that unfortunate Western export, oleaginous showbiz faux-intimacy. — Peter Marks, Washington Post, 21 June 2022 The French state is represented effectively here by oleaginous High Commissioner De Roller (Magimel), a European long based in Tahiti. — Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 May 2022

Recent Examples of Synonyms for oleaginous

Adjective

This is part of the natural aging process, and the visible signs of aging include looser texture, dry skin, and in some people oily skin that still feels dehydrated.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026
Grease and oily stains dissolve more quickly in warmer water.

— Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of oily

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

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

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

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

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

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

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old-world

oleaginous

oligarchies

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

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Synonyms of oleaginous

adjective

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