1
as in fake
not being or expressing what one appears to be or express
an unctuous effort to appear religious to the voters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in oily
overly or insincerely flattering
an unctuous appraisal of the musical talent shown by the boss's daughter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 unctuous
The maguey imparts a subtly vegetal flavor, and cooks reserve just enough fat so that each bite of meat is unctuous.
—
Edmund Tijerina, Bon Appétit, 27 Feb. 2025
Mandelson is a deeply charming, borderline unctuous character.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
The pickled mustard seeds provide little pears of flavor and an edge of acid that cuts through the unctuous dish.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2024
Pasta sauces are unctuous, and the tiramisu made my lactose-intolerant dining companion giddy.
—Kendyl Kearly, Baltimore Sun, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unctuous
Edmund Tijerina, Bon Appétit, 27 Feb. 2025
Mandelson is a deeply charming, borderline unctuous character.
—Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025
The pickled mustard seeds provide little pears of flavor and an edge of acid that cuts through the unctuous dish.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2024
Pasta sauces are unctuous, and the tiramisu made my lactose-intolerant dining companion giddy.
—Kendyl Kearly, Baltimore Sun, 25 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unctuous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unctuous
Adjective
-
This fake news is being spread by France’s enemies, both abroad and at home.—
Jenny Goldsberry,
The Washington Examiner,
12 May 2025
-
YouTube has further cracked down on fake movie trailer channels.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
12 May 2025
Adjective
-
Like creams, oily skin types generally avoid this formula.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
9 May 2025
-
The oily, white substance can soak into fibers and stain or discolor fabrics.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
5 May 2025
Adjective
-
This double belonging—to the United States by birth, but to Peru by choice, service, and love—may give us some insight into Pope Leo’s pastoral identity.—
Raúl E. Zegarra,
Time,
17 May 2025
-
The Cowgirls grew their lead to 3-1 with a double to left-center field by Rachael Hathoot.—
Ethan Westerman,
Arkansas Online,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
One defense, beginning in the late eighteen-hundreds, was flypaper, sheets of which were coated on one side with an oleaginous substance that lured flies, then permanently trapped them.—
David Owen,
The New Yorker,
27 July 2024
-
At any moment, the noodles might dissolve, the cheese topping burn, the dish collapse into a soggy, oleaginous mess.—
Isaac Butler,
The New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2023
Adjective
-
By After Testing Over 30 Best Sellers By Siena Gagliano Unlike balms, which can make lip color slide around, a primer locks it in while keeping lips soft and comfortable.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
2 Mar. 2025
-
For lip color, reach for the Merit Beauty Signature lipsticks.—
Loren Savini,
Allure,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
For years, raw sewage from Mexico has poured across the border into Southern California, fouling beaches, sickening residents and sparking diplomatic as well as environmental concerns.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 May 2025
-
And once the sickening jolts of the combat takeoff had ended and Bui slowly grew accustomed to the noise and the pressure of the C-130, the taste of KFC stopped his crying.—
Jennifer Brookland,
Mercury News,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Garmin also upgrades the superficial hardware in the Forerunner 970.—
Andrew Williams,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
-
Health advocacy organizations say public outreach for this effort, especially to Black Georgians, has been superficial at best.—
Margaret Coker,
ProPublica,
14 May 2025
Adjective
-
This causes the voice to break and have a strained sound.—
Kate Nalepinski,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 May 2025
-
There's also the potential for dependency on partners, which can be risky if the alliance becomes strained.—
Randy Wong,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unctuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unctuous. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share