as in to grease
to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction
used a petroleum based machine oil to lubricate the gears
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 lubricate
Deep injection wells also lubricate faults in the Earth, sometimes causing earthquakes bad enough to crack home walls and foundations.
—
Saul Elbein, The Hill, 17 Mar. 2025
This is cooking that feeds the soul and lubricates the joints, and makes a nice long train nap sound good indeed.
—Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
The zipper pull should glide easily once lubricated.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
The chemicals also help lubricate substances and carry fragrances in various personal care products including deodorant; nail polish; perfumes; hair gels, sprays or shampoos; soaps; and body lotions.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lubricate
Saul Elbein, The Hill, 17 Mar. 2025
This is cooking that feeds the soul and lubricates the joints, and makes a nice long train nap sound good indeed.
—Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025
The zipper pull should glide easily once lubricated.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
The chemicals also help lubricate substances and carry fragrances in various personal care products including deodorant; nail polish; perfumes; hair gels, sprays or shampoos; soaps; and body lotions.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lubricate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lubricate
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
Verb
-
The gift further connects revelers to Carved to Flow which began in a laboratory in Athens where oils, butters, and lye from the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North and West Africa were intermingled to create a soap.—
Natasha Gural,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
-
This spray uses grapefruit, lemon and tea tree oils to remove makeup buildup and preserve your tools.—
Nora Colomer,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lubricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lubricate. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share