oil 1 of 2

noun

ˈȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce oil (audio)
Definition of oilnext
as in painting
a picture created with oil paint that artist is known to have created only oils and charcoal sketches

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oil

2 of 2

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

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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
Meanwhile, the president of Saudi oil company Aramco, whose sites have been targeted by the Houthis, said the amount of oil moving through a pipeline that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz has increased threefold in light of the global energy crisis. — Melanie Lidman, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 As part of the war, Ukraine has attacked several Russian oil refineries and fuel depots, slashing Russia’s diesel exports by 75%, according to CNBC. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
Then back by a slightly different route, past more hides and oiled walnut and blued steel. — John Madson, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026 One of the easiest ways to take care of your nails at home is by oiling them. — Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for oil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oil
  1. painting
  2. grease
  3. canvas
Noun
  • Family-friendly activities like face-painting, sugar skull workshops, and wellness offerings from community partners such as the Children’s Institute.
    — Staff Photographer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The Atlas Group primed viewers to read his documents as unstable, but the later work asks them to contend with shrunken objects, resurrected paintings, and vampires lurking in the archive.
    — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of painting
Verb
  • Lightly grease a 2-quart ceramic or glass baking dish with baking spray.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • These hostesses greased the gears of power in the capital, and an invitation to their dinners was a chance to rub shoulders with Cabinet members and ambassadors and, occasionally, a bona fide celebrity.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of grease
Noun
  • According to the blog post, the Foundation is in the process of replacing the acrylic roof with a more resilient material that more closely resembles Wright’s canvas.
    — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The Vansza Authentic Kickdown sneaker combines custom fish artwork by Sage Adams, distressed canvas and a collapsible heel for easy on-and-off wear.
    — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of canvas

Phrases Containing oil

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ohs
oil
oiled
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Cite this Entry

“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oil. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on oil

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about oil

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