as in to decompose
to combine chemically with oxygen
Iron will oxidize if it is exposed to air and moisture.
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Recent Examples of oxidize
Inside the cell, the coal particles are directly oxidized through an oxide membrane, producing an electrochemical reaction that generates electricity on the spot.
—
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
Enstatite chondrites are the least oxidized chondrites, carbonaceous ones are the most oxidized, and ordinary chondrites have an intermediate oxidation level.
—Javier Barbuzano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
The acid prevents cut apples from oxidizing and turning brown, while keeping sliced avocadoes or guacamole bright green.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
But the interiors are more disciplined—materials used in the rebuild were meticulously chosen by architect Tomoyuki Sakakida of the Japanese design firm New Material Research Laboratory and meant to oxidize over time.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oxidize
Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 26 Apr. 2026
Enstatite chondrites are the least oxidized chondrites, carbonaceous ones are the most oxidized, and ordinary chondrites have an intermediate oxidation level.
—Javier Barbuzano, Scientific American, 22 Apr. 2026
The acid prevents cut apples from oxidizing and turning brown, while keeping sliced avocadoes or guacamole bright green.
—Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026
But the interiors are more disciplined—materials used in the rebuild were meticulously chosen by architect Tomoyuki Sakakida of the Japanese design firm New Material Research Laboratory and meant to oxidize over time.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oxidize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oxidize
Verb
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One of the latest challenges is hydrogen sulfide – a foul-smelling gas given off by decomposing bat droppings inside the chamber, that caused some crew members to faint, Kengkad told CNN.—
Kocha Olarn,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
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Microbes create oxygen in the atmosphere, decompose waste material, and help plants absorb nutrients.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Over time, humidity and condensation can also rust metal and cause paint to bubble or peel.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
28 May 2026
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The windows looked out on a back yard where generations of bedsprings rusted and a tree of heaven grew.—
Joyce Johnson,
New Yorker,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Heritage strains tend to be grown with fewer pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, and some people who react poorly to modern wheat tolerate them better.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
2 June 2026
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Chow, who is Asian, closed his eyes but did not otherwise react when the verdict was read in court, while gasps and sobs were heard from the gallery.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Note that the sponge will disintegrate with use, just like a pencil eraser.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
30 May 2026
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The damage from our disintegrating democracy demands attention — and now.—
Elizabeth Keifer,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
Verb
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Hyde has McCallany playing Detective Grimes, a haunted investigator descending into the decaying underbelly of a crumbling metropolis while hunting a brutal serial killer.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
1 June 2026
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They were set in crumbling castles and moldering dungeons—that is, amid the rubble of a collapsing social order.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Neither captures the gut punch of betrayal when something precious is corroded beyond recognition.—
Eric Ries,
Time,
28 May 2026
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Silicon Valley needs to take meaningful action against the antisemitism coursing through their feeds and corroding our culture.—
Jonathan Greenblatt,
Sun Sentinel,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oxidize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oxidize. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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