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
Nitrifying microbes, which oxidize ammonia before plants can take it up, have long competed with plants for nitrogen.
—
Katherine Bourzac, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
For that to work, plant cells actually oxidize a carbon back off, releasing carbon dioxide, in order to create a two-carbon source for building lipids.
—ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
What's more, the oxidizing process would simply start again, and the entire structure would turn green again in a few short years.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Over time, the reduced iron (Fe2+) will lose an electron and oxidize to rust (Fe3+).
—Amy J. Williams, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oxidize
Katherine Bourzac, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
For that to work, plant cells actually oxidize a carbon back off, releasing carbon dioxide, in order to create a two-carbon source for building lipids.
—ArsTechnica, 12 Sep. 2025
What's more, the oxidizing process would simply start again, and the entire structure would turn green again in a few short years.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Over time, the reduced iron (Fe2+) will lose an electron and oxidize to rust (Fe3+).
—Amy J. Williams, The Conversation, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oxidize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oxidize
Verb
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According to the study, Igatuia Cavernicola likely plays an important role in its cave ecosystem by eating decomposing organic matter, thereby cycling nutrients and contributing to the habitat’s overall health and function.—
Lauren Liebhaber,
Miami Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
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Use a mulching mower to chop the leaves into small pieces that will decompose quickly and add nutrients to the soil.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Plus, the aluminum frame won’t rust or corrode after hours in the sun.—
Julia Fields,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Oct. 2025
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In West Virginia, Form Energy is harnessing rust itself to unlock a new way of storing renewable power.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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How will fans react on Saturday?—
Paul Taylor,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
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States are figuring out how to react More than 1 in 5 New Mexico residents receive SNAP benefits, at a cost of about $90 million a month.—
Geoff Mulvihill,
Twin Cities,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ethan Hawke stars as Lorenz Hart of legendary songsmiths Rodgers & Hart as the prolific partnership disintegrates to his great dismay.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
17 Oct. 2025
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This difference sounds small, but preventing a few tenths of a degree of warming could keep polar ice caps from completely disintegrating, coral reefs from collapsing and other tipping points from triggering.—
Syris Valentine,
Scientific American,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Murdaughs' facade of prosperity, love and happiness all starts to crumble after Paul crashes that boat.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
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Yet after three easy wins during a light nonconference schedule, the Nittany Lions crumbled.—
Travis Johnson,
Denver Post,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The wicker chairs are sturdy with a steel base that’s weather-resistant and won’t corrode.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
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But political violence committed by private individuals or groups also corrodes constitutional democracy.—
Gregory P. Magarian,
The Conversation,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oxidize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oxidize. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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