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oil

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verb

as in to grease
to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction if you oil the machinery on a regular basis, it will operate more efficiently

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 oil
Noun
But the engineers and other staff discovered that Microsoft was using its AI tools to help oil companies. James Folta, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025 The International Energy Agency and state oil companies predict that China’s oil use will start to drop within two years, The Wall Street Journal reported, with huge ramifications for global energy markets. Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 22 July 2025
Verb
Keep those tools clean, oiled, sharpened and most importantly under cover to ensure many years of use. 14. Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 June 2025 The light non-foaming cream is enriched with shea butter, plus monoi, avocado, and tamanu oils to nourish the strands while removing scalp buildup. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for oil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oil
Noun
  • Later that day, young visitors can enjoy a canvas painting and craft workshop at the Avalon Arts and Culture Center from 2-4 p.m. for $15 per participant (extra craft costs $5).
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 July 2025
  • The center offers youth and adult classes in a variety of mediums, including ceramics, photography, drawing and painting, and performing arts.
    Shelby Slade, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • The Israeli Air Force handled Iran's air defense system with ease, so much so that Israeli pilots established air superiority over the country and greased the skids for U.S. B-2 bombers to drop their 30,000-pound payloads on two of Iran's main nuclear facilities at Natanz and Fordow.
    Daniel R. DePetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
  • But language hastening Maryland Public Service Commission approval of power plants is generating concern, as well as what critics see as provisions that grease the skids for new natural gas power plants.
    Christine Condon, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Series made on such a large canvas require ever more these days the involvement of a streaming service – global, regional or national – to realize the potential of their scale.
    John Hopewell, Variety, 24 July 2025
  • In fact, another great thing about this canvas tote bag is how many options are out there for customizing it.
    Terri Peters, Parents, 22 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oil. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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