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 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 Those flies themselves depend on sulfur-oxidizing microbes as their primary food source. — Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2025
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
  • In this case, the researchers focused its attention on acetic acid – the source of the sour, vinegar-like smell coming from decomposing garbage.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The first responding officer opened one of the suitcases and discovered a woman's decomposing body -- naked, bound with rope and in a fetal position.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of decomposing
Verb
  • Read more about Cuban’s bold swing and how experts are reacting.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Buyers are reacting less to the weekly move in rates but more to the overall higher level.
    — Diana Olick, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of reacting
Verb
  • Particles of disintegrating kelp drifted downward like falling leaves.
    — Alec Luhn, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of disintegrating
Verb
  • Nearly a third of its education budget is eaten up by pensions, so its poorer schools are crumbling.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 26 Oct. 2026
  • In Frankfurt, a gray city crumbling at the corners and still finding its footing after the war, though somehow doing its best to pretend all is well, Mann and Erika are greeted by the mayor and hustled off to a press conference.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of crumbling
Verb
  • 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
  • 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 corroding

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Cite this Entry

“Oxidizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oxidizing. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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