as in decomposes
to combine chemically with oxygen
Iron will oxidize if it is exposed to air and moisture.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 oxidizes
While the electron travels to the cathode to reduce carbon dioxide, the remaining hole simultaneously oxidizes the biomass molecule 5-Hydroxymethyl-2-furoic acid (HMFA), thereby executing two distinct chemical upgrades at the same time.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
Chlorinated water increases transepidermal water loss — meaning skin literally can’t hold onto hydration as well — and chlorine oxidizes hair proteins, leaving strands brittle and prone to breakage.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
The entire composition is then exposed to a corrosive liquid, which oxidizes the copper in the textile, drawing out a chemical-looking green that circulates through the narrow channels between the foil sheets.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
The main ingredient is sodium perborate or sodium percarbonate which when introduced to water, oxidizes to help remove soil and stains and to cut through residual build-up that leaves fabric dull.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026
Oxidative Stability Matters More Than Smoke Point Instead of focusing on smoke point, experts say oxidative stability, or how easily an oil oxidizes and breaks down, is a better measure of quality and safety.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025
One of the trickiest aspects of fabricating the capacitors was working with the niobium diselenide, which oxidizes in seconds when exposed to air, according to Wang.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Feb. 2022
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
Chlorinated water increases transepidermal water loss — meaning skin literally can’t hold onto hydration as well — and chlorine oxidizes hair proteins, leaving strands brittle and prone to breakage.
—Allison Palmer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026
The entire composition is then exposed to a corrosive liquid, which oxidizes the copper in the textile, drawing out a chemical-looking green that circulates through the narrow channels between the foil sheets.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
The main ingredient is sodium perborate or sodium percarbonate which when introduced to water, oxidizes to help remove soil and stains and to cut through residual build-up that leaves fabric dull.
—Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026
Oxidative Stability Matters More Than Smoke Point Instead of focusing on smoke point, experts say oxidative stability, or how easily an oil oxidizes and breaks down, is a better measure of quality and safety.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 27 Oct. 2025
One of the trickiest aspects of fabricating the capacitors was working with the niobium diselenide, which oxidizes in seconds when exposed to air, according to Wang.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Feb. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oxidizes
Verb
-
The research team enabled a room-temperature, four-electron chemical reaction path that forms and decomposes lithium oxide, which expands available energy storage.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 June 2026
-
Organic material trapped in reservoirs accumulates and decomposes over time, releasing methane — a potent greenhouse gas that significantly contributes to global warming, Fernández-Garrido told CNN.—
Radina Gigova,
CNN Money,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
The red planet owes its distinctive hue to an oxidizing process that rusts iron present in the rocks and dust of Mars.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
That means the foods to eat (and avoid) depend on learning what your body reacts to.—
Gagandeep Brar,
Health,
11 June 2026
-
Congress reacts in the summer of 1866 by enacting the Fourteenth Amendment in Congress.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Even those who can afford to stay suffer losses in home equity and lifestyle as the community around them disintegrates or disappears.—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
12 June 2026
-
Even those who can afford to stay suffer losses in home equity and lifestyle as the community around them disintegrates or disappears.—
Zac Taylor,
The Conversation,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
That is the moment that everything crumbles for Rachel.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
14 May 2026
-
Loyalty, betrayal, illness and war all bear down on the group as the old order crumbles around them.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Salt water corrodes wood pilings, which need to be replaced every so often.—
Caelyn Pender,
Mercury News,
15 June 2026
-
This corrodes faith in our democratic system.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
In theory, beryllium-8 normally decays into two helium-4 nuclei.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
19 Mar. 2026
-
This state then decays through a two-step cascade, releasing two photons in rapid succession.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oxidizes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oxidizes. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
