oxidizing

verb

present participle of oxidize
as in rusting
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 oxidizing The chemical is associated with oxidizing properties, acute toxicity and reproductive toxicity and is a high-level hazard to aquatic organisms. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026 Mixing wand finish is oxidizing for mixing lacks replacement with stainless steel material. — Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026 Chloride ions readily attack many alloys, while components around the oxygen-producing anode side are simultaneously subject to strongly oxidizing electrochemical potentials. — New Atlas, 3 Sep. 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 But recent studies have shown that erosion can also emit CO2 by oxidizing organic carbon contained in eroding sediments. — Howard Lee, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026 The acid prevents cut apples from oxidizing and turning brown, while keeping sliced avocadoes or guacamole bright green. — Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026 By capturing the oxygen, the coating prevents it from oxidizing the electrolyte and forming harmful byproducts. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oxidizing
  1. rusting
  2. decomposing
  3. reacting
  4. disintegrating
  5. crumbling
  6. corroding
Verb
  • Christmas decorations linger into summer, and grasses grow high through rusting cars.
    — Christopher Borrelli, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • This is particularly necessary for knives made from high-carbon steel, which are prone to rusting.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of rusting
Verb
  • The body of 76-year-old Ronald Tyler was already decomposing by the time his daughter Terri found out where he was being stored.
    — Dave Savini, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026
  • If soil amendment is needed, first add compost and decomposing leaves to the garden soil.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of decomposing
Verb
  • The Moon’s square to Uranus favors checking the information before reacting to the inconvenience.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 3 Nov. 2026
  • On the stream, Piker is live-reacting to a YouTube video from the popular channel Jubilee, in which a Black conservative debates a Black liberal.
    — Abigail Sylvor Greenberg, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of reacting
Verb
  • Even though relations between the pair had been publicly disintegrating for weeks, Stevens' announcement was a surprise.
    — Barbara Sprunt, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The stars have grown lethargic and limp, with lesions spread across their bodies, their arms falling off or disintegrating.
    — Joseph Ogilvy, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of disintegrating
Verb
  • Before it was demolished in the early 1800s, his crumbling mansion was said to be haunted by ghosts and strange occurrences.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • While the bread is toasting, cook sausage in a large skillet, crumbling it into pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned, 3 minutes.
    — Candy Hom, AJC.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of crumbling
Verb
  • Deflation and the growing debt burden are also corroding the financial system, which will ultimately require large write-offs and recapitalization from the government budget to prevent credit growth from slowing further.
    — Oliver Melton, Foreign Affairs, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Early molten salt methods failed to keep the salt bath from corroding the valuable silicon substrate.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of corroding

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Cite this Entry

“Oxidizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oxidizing. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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