UNCTUOUS Synonyms: 107 Similar and Opposite Words

unctuous

adjective

ˈəŋ(k)-chə-wəs

Definition of unctuous

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 unctuous and sweet char siu pork jowl is interspersed with green apple pressed with lime and ginger for a bright and crisp counter to the fatty pig. — Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 16 June 2026 Made with the unctuous 8-percent-fat milk of the water buffalo—animals that may have arrived in the area via the Normans by way of Sicily, or perhaps by the Goths coming from Central Asia—buffalo mozzarella has been produced at least since the twelfth century. — Literary Hub, 11 June 2026 In its equilibrium, a good tomato sandwich is juicy and unctuous and appropriately messy, which is praise all too often reserved for hot sandwiches like cheesesteaks or patty melts. — Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 11 June 2026 These are wines that pair beautifully with rich dishes, oily, unctuous fish with tomato, and pasta sauces that are rich and fatty. — Valentina Di Donato, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unctuous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unctuous

Adjective

The Scarlet Knights ran a fake punt to convert a fourth and 21 for a 44-yard gain that sparked a touchdown drive to close the gap to three points.

— Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
The products, which sport fake USDA inspection labels, were distributed to grocery stores and restaurants across the United States.

— Julia Hawkins, Idaho Statesman, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of fake

Adjective

Rooms Faraway Sag Harbor has 67 guest rooms and suites, including a handful of lofts with double-height ceilings.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026
The brand’s Exceptional Extraits generated more than 25 percent of sales and rose more than 80 percent, while sales from the Essence Collection, from a double-infusion process, were up more than 260 percent.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of double

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
Ted Cruz, the perennial front-runner, is smug and oleaginous—hated equally by his colleagues and the public.

— Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 26 Sep. 2022

Definition of oleaginous

Adjective

Likewise, lip masks designed to be worn overnight can provide improved hydration and comfort over daytime treatments.

— Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 2026
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tatianna points to cinnamon as a conductor of heat—one commonly used in lip plumper products to achieve a sultry pout.

— Essence, Essence, 23 Nov. 2025

Definition of lip

Adjective

That is one of the most shocking moments of the series, apart from some of the twists and turns towards the end, and probably the most sickening.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
Everyone felt the sickening harsh reality that this had happened on our sovereign soil and that it was meant to be an affront to everyone who felt pride in being an American.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of sickening

Adjective

Faith and family healing Practical communication strategies can be valuable when relationships become strained.

— Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
For too long, Washington failed to enforce our immigration laws, and the resulting chaos overwhelmed communities and strained resources nationwide.

— Don Bacon, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of strained

Adjective

But something about the Ferris wheel, summer sunsets and general overindulgence convinced me that Wisconsin State Fair might just be the perfect place for romantic declarations, first dates, and altogether gushy moments.

— Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Except for the unfettered devotion in the latter is replaced by swooping strings and a gushy chorus that merely offer an antiseptic veneer.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 June 2026

Definition of gushy

Browse Nearby Words

uncrumpling

unctuous

unctuously

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Style

“Unctuous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unctuous. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unctuous

adjective

Example Sentences

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