OXIDIZING Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

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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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 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 What's more, the oxidizing process would simply start again, and the entire structure would turn green again in a few short years. — Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for oxidizing

Verb

Preparing for a possible attack, the gunner fired a heavy-caliber round from his rusting weapon.

— Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026
It’s designed to stand up to harsh weather conditions without rusting or corroding—no furniture covers needed—and comes partially pre-assembled for breezy setup.

— Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of rusting

Verb

Fifteen months later, 56 decomposing bodies were found at their South Chicago Chapel.

— Susana Mendoza, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026
As excavations for the foundation got underway, bones and decomposing bodies were found, releasing a horrid odor and spreading yellow fever across the island.

— Victoria Davies, Rolling Stone, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of decomposing

Verb

Preparing is more valuable than reacting, and that means the board should not only review preventive controls, but also require, oversee and update contingency plans to manage a potential crisis, ensuring operational continuity.

— Susana Sierra, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2026
The focus of their coverage is on the rescue teams, logistics of the operations and how government leaders are reacting quickly to the disaster, according Luqiu.

— Jennifer Pak, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of reacting

Verb

The 110-floor south tower, struck shortly after the north tower by another plane, was disintegrating.

— Diane Herbst, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2026
His relationship with his wife (Anna Faris) and kids is disintegrating and a National Enquirer journo keeps threatening to run an exposé of his infidelities.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of disintegrating

Verb

Transportation officials posted a video showing severe erosion jeopardizing the train tracks used by Metrolink in San Clemente, with strong ocean waves crashing on the tracks and sediment crumbling onto the rocks below.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Vigiano was assigned to NYPD Emergency Services Unit Truck 2 on 9/11 and was one of the first to rush into the crumbling World Trade Center complex.

— Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of crumbling

Verb

At these temperatures, the molten salt remains chemically stable but begin corroding the metal used to build the reactor vessel, posing a major safety risk.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 14 July 2026
The company is accused of knowing that its sprinkler system was corroding and that emergency repairs to some sprinkler heads had been completed just days before the chemical reaction.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 23 June 2026

Definition of corroding

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“Oxidizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oxidizing. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of oxidizing

verb

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