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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 These elements cause stains that can oxidize over time, leading to discoloration. — Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026 The sun really did a number on it, oxidizing the paint, while water also found its way into one of the engines. — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 20 Aug. 2026 These oxidizing species can chemically react with the membrane that surrounds a bacterium, damaging and destroying it. — Rahul Rao, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2026 The other is methemoglobinemia, a condition where hemoglobin is oxidized into a form that can’t release oxygen to tissue. — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 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
  • McGraw said their policy is to allow carcasses to decompose naturally, which is similar to rules followed by the Forest Preserves of Cook County, Cotter said.
    — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Most of the remains were severely decomposed, but investigators believed Montgomery had been dead for less than a day when he was found.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of decompose
Verb
  • Haddad clarifies that vinyl itself doesn’t rust, which means that any visible rust on the siding is coming from something else.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Amid a palette of earth tones—from sand to rust, caramel to chocolate—the brown skirt made an appearance on countless fall-winter 2026–2027 runways.
    — Emma Bocchi, Glamour, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of rust
Verb
  • Instead, a conflict that closes airspace or a spike in fuel costs may force his team to react.
    — Chris Dong, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Perceived as being slow to react during the pandemic, central bankers are more hawkish this time around, suggesting hikes will come faster and more frequently.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of react
Verb
  • Scott’s face, in this shot, is a whole novel, disintegrating into tears before being shored up again, eventually rearranged into something resembling a welcoming smile that teeters on the edge of collapse.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
  • But slack defending allowed Chelsea’s individual quality to shine and as the match wore on, United’s confidence disintegrated.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of disintegrate
Verb
  • The agency spokesperson says that the anechoic chamber hadn’t been upgraded since 1997 and that its microwave-absorbing foam spires were crumbling.
    — Eric Niiler, Scientific American, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The planters are original to the stadium’s 1962 construction, and many had crumbled badly enough over the decades to need painstaking repair.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • Standard metals are far too heavy, corrode over time, and won’t bend.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Rust often comes from corroding fasteners or nearby metal, while mold thrives on dirt and moisture buildup.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 Sep. 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 25 Sep. 2026.

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