oxidize

verb

Definition of oxidizenext
as in to decompose
to combine chemically with oxygen Iron will oxidize if it is exposed to air and moisture.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 oxidize That way, the potatoes will have less time to oxidize (or turn brown) before they’re added to the baking dish. — Martha Stewart, 20 July 2026 Brass hardware details—left unfinished to naturally oxidize and express their usage through time—dot much of the apartment. — Troy J. McMullen, Architectural Digest, 9 July 2026 These highly reactive oxygen-containing molecules can then oxidize organic substrates. — New Atlas, 3 July 2026 These work by releasing oxygen bubbles that literally oxidize the stains and dinginess. — Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for oxidize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oxidize
  1. decompose
  2. rust
  3. react
  4. disintegrate
  5. crumble
  6. corrode
Verb
  • An investigation was underway at a Far South Side funeral home after more than 50 decomposing bodies were found in the facility.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In 2023, nearly 200 decomposing bodies were found in a building in Colorado, and another 31 decomposing bodies were discovered at an Indiana funeral home.
    — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of decompose
Verb
  • Because sometime soon, Caltrans will replace my aging, slightly rusting fixation with a brand new shiny sign.
    — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The dramatic reappearance of the rusting wrecks has become one of the most striking visual reminders of both Europe’s wartime history and the severe drought currently gripping much of the continent.
    — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of rust
Verb
  • His skin reacted to samples from a poodle and goldendoodle, but not from the beagles.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • However, conventional electrolytes often react with the electrodes, triggering unwanted chemical reactions that produce insulating byproducts, block ion movement, and shorten battery life.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of react
Verb
  • It was revealed that the NFL quarterback’s relationship with the family had disintegrated over the years.
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Comedy is a delicate object; a funny play on words in one language might disintegrate in another.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 July 2026
Definition of disintegrate
Verb
  • State road officials on Saturday closed an exit on the Kennedy Expressway near Jefferson Park after part of a retaining wall crumbled.
    — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
  • But after the platform changed its algorithm and views of PurelyWhite content plummeted, his business crumbled.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • From that moment suspicion corrodes old loyalties, and the village’s Muslims are evacuated to a refugee camp for transport to Pakistan.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
  • The salt can harm fish and other wildlife, and corrode bridges and automobiles.
    — Nathaniel Warner, The Conversation, 24 July 2026
Definition of corrode

Browse Nearby Words

oxcarts
oxidize
oxidized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Oxidize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oxidize. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on oxidize

Nglish: Translation of oxidize for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All