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 Solar ultraviolet photons break apart bonds in molecules, creating radicals, which oxidize VOCs. — Michael A. Robinson, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026 Another common sign is rancidity, which occurs when the natural oils in the peanuts oxidize after prolonged exposure to air, light, or heat, Cutter says. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 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 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
  • The coins were originally buried together in a container made of organic material that has since decomposed, archaeologists believe.
    — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Many of the children's bodies were severely decomposed, with only 26 able to be identified, and investigations into the other deaths are ongoing.
    — Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of decompose
Verb
  • Christmas decorations linger into summer, and grasses grow high through rusting cars.
    — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • Green attributed it to rust since Pintaro has been sick over the last few days.
    — Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of rust
Verb
  • So, too, is the way objects react when a fusion reaction booms nearby.
    — Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Tampa Bay Rays' Richie Palacios reacts after a single during the sixth inning at Tropicana Field on Monday.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of react
Verb
  • The scouts said the object climbed quickly before appearing to disintegrate.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Particles of disintegrating kelp drifted downward like falling leaves.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of disintegrate
Verb
  • As ocean levels rise, waves crash farther inland and the coast continues to crumble, Southern California is on track to lose 30 to 70% of its beaches over the next several decades.
    — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Jarman pointed out, rightly, that in the 1630s, the walls wouldn’t have been crumbling at all.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • Over time, this mixture corrodes structural metals while radiation weakens them from within.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Deterioration is exacerbated if water reaches the steel rebar, corroding from inside the concrete mass and thereby weakening the integrity of the wall.
    — Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 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 26 Oct. 2026.

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