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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
As the institute has grown and evolved, its scientists now research construction, oil and gas extraction, firefighting, law enforcement and service work. Catherine Blackwood, Scientific American, 17 Apr. 2025 The ingredient list will also detail which type of oil was used. Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
But oiling the wheels of commerce wasn’t for him. Sean Gregory / Boston, TIME, 27 Jan. 2025 His jet-black hair is cleanly parted and oiled; his face, big and round. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for oil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oil
Noun
  • The paintings on exhibit at Zwirner were filled with references to her earlier works and to herself.
    Tom Teicholz, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Yet presidents can choose which paintings to hang in the entryway and along the hall that connects the State Dining Room to the East Room.
    Barbara A. Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The latter also perpetuates a reliance on extractive industries, keeping the metaphorical wheels greased on the fossil fuel industry rather than encouraging it to begin winding down.
    Andrew Leahey, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
  • The key is to bake the top layer in an ovenproof bowl greased generously with baking spray and lined with two strips of parchment paper.
    Ana Calderone, People.com, 10 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • On sale for 63 percent off, the Bogota sneakers have a flexible, breathable canvas upper and a high shaft for extra ankle support.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Using Baltimore as his template, Simon looks at every aspect of urban life, starting with what first seems like a simple-but-smart look at cops and criminals and expanding the canvas to include dock workers, educators, journalists, and politicians over the course of the series run.
    Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 18 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oil. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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