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
The entire composition is then exposed to a corrosive liquid, which oxidizes the copper in the textile, drawing out a chemical-looking green that circulates through the narrow channels between the foil sheets.
—
Theo Belci, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
In the hole, life drops away quickly as oxygen disappears, below the surface (Oxic Zone) and transition levels (Suboxic Zone); at 100-140 m (330-460 ft), the third layer called the Anoxic Zone I is almost completely dominated by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.
—New Atlas, 28 Dec. 2025
For the headstrong, maternal Agnes, who is spiritually caught between the modern world and a more ancient, primal place, Turzanska used a palette of sanguine, rust, russet, crimson, and prune, inspired by the different stages of blood—from freshly oxidized to aged, clotted, and scabbed.
—Elaina Patton, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
Each chamber isolates a different set of actives that would otherwise destabilize, oxidize, or lose strength if mixed together in a standard bottle.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oxidize
Theo Belci, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
In the hole, life drops away quickly as oxygen disappears, below the surface (Oxic Zone) and transition levels (Suboxic Zone); at 100-140 m (330-460 ft), the third layer called the Anoxic Zone I is almost completely dominated by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.
—New Atlas, 28 Dec. 2025
For the headstrong, maternal Agnes, who is spiritually caught between the modern world and a more ancient, primal place, Turzanska used a palette of sanguine, rust, russet, crimson, and prune, inspired by the different stages of blood—from freshly oxidized to aged, clotted, and scabbed.
—Elaina Patton, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
Each chamber isolates a different set of actives that would otherwise destabilize, oxidize, or lose strength if mixed together in a standard bottle.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oxidize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oxidize
Verb
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Conversely, if Iran begins decomposing, its launch tempo will slow.—
John Seiler,
Oc Register,
5 Mar. 2026
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Vermicompost is a compost produced by red wiggler worms that like to decompose biowaste, such as food scraps, hygiene products and cotton clothing, recycling them rather than throwing them away.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Why would Mary Todd Lincoln want to flood my basement and rust my bowflex?—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
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The tank appeared old and rusted, and was clearly marked.—
Corey J. Murray,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Japan still gets about 95% of its crude imports from the Middle East, helping explain why its stock markets reacted so sharply to the risk of a prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.—
Alaa Shahine Salha,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
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How to react when facing a lightning hazard?—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Is there also a whiff of nostalgia in the slow movement, for a world disintegrating in brutality?—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Then came another loss in last spring’s conference finals, when the Thunder showed him another way to disintegrate an opponent.—
Fred Katz,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Gang violence, death threats and a crumbling judicial system have stalled an ongoing investigation.—
David Fischer,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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Last summer, the fastball effectiveness crumbled.—
Sahadev Sharma,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When payments did at last flow to Chagossian families, their value was much corroded by the inflation of the Mauritian rupee.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
2 Mar. 2026
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These products kill roots on contact without corroding the pipes or killing off the tree.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oxidize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oxidize. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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