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
Peroxide oxidizes and breaks down the chemical bonds that color stains.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
For instance, these materials are brittle at room temperature, rapidly oxidize, and fail between 600°C (1112°F) to 700°C (1292°F) when exposed to oxygen.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
It is unusually oxidized and stripped of elements like magnesium and calcium, a profile that Hurowitz said resembles soils on Earth that have been heavily weathered by long exposure to rain.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for oxidize
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
For instance, these materials are brittle at room temperature, rapidly oxidize, and fail between 600°C (1112°F) to 700°C (1292°F) when exposed to oxygen.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
It is unusually oxidized and stripped of elements like magnesium and calcium, a profile that Hurowitz said resembles soils on Earth that have been heavily weathered by long exposure to rain.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for oxidize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oxidize
Verb
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In contrast to polluting polyester, these fibers are biodegradable and will naturally decompose after disposal.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Nov. 2025
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Leaves need oxygen to properly decompose, and leaves buried in landfills do not have access to any oxygen, according to the National Wildlife Federation.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Scorched and stained pots and pans almost always require scraping and scouring, and cast-iron skillets can rust when soaked.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
6 Nov. 2025
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These items include a beaded lantern, a large, dark wood chain, and a vase that appears to be rusted through.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Airlines reacted to news that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be reducing air traffic by 10 percent on Friday across 40 airports nationwide amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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O’Shea supported the stance that a child’s behavior is key in determining how to react to high temperatures.—
Erika Edwards,
NBC news,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Dark Skies does an excellent job of using an alien threat as a metaphor for the pressures on the nuclear American family that lead to so many of them disintegrating.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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Over the years, the roof disintegrated and many of the windows are broken.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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That quest comes to a screeching halt due to the 2008 recession, as Jackie scrambles to adjust to a new lifestyle while husband David struggles to keep his timeshare empire from crumbling.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Nov. 2025
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Instead, Chenoweth finds the humanity inside the caricature, capturing the contradictions that made Jackie a pop-culture fascination — her drive for success, her humor, and yes, even her delusion to keep believing in a fantasy when the walls around her are literally crumbling.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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What was once meant to be a narrow exception for genuine crises has become a routine pretext for government overreach — a means of inflating executive power and corroding the nation’s fiscal credibility.—
Veronique De Rugy,
Oc Register,
7 Nov. 2025
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Humidity often corrodes cables and steams camera lenses.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oxidize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oxidize. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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