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.

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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 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
  • Authorities said the remains included bones believed to belong to four newborns and the decomposing body of a fifth.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
  • Ament revisited his archive of decomposing negatives with his brother, designer Barry Ament, a few years ago.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 29 July 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
  • Comedy is a delicate object; a funny play on words in one language might disintegrate in another.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 30 July 2026
  • The breakaway Super League succumbed to the pressure and disintegrated quickly, with nine of its founding members withdrawing in a matter of days.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 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
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Cite this Entry

“Oxidize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oxidize. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of oxidize for Spanish Speakers

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