as in painting
a picture created with oil paint
that artist is known to have created only oils and charcoal sketches
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of oil
Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
But oil prices rose and stocks were mixed Thursday as investors tracked mixed developments in the war.
—CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Mohapi adds that oiling a dry scalp works best before washing, not after.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oil
Noun
That in turn caused oil and gas prices to spike globally, stoking fears of another surge in inflation.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026
But oil prices rose and stocks were mixed Thursday as investors tracked mixed developments in the war.
—CBS News, 26 Mar. 2026
Verb
Ramakrishnan typically oils her hair twice a week before washing it.
—Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Mohapi adds that oiling a dry scalp works best before washing, not after.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oil
Noun
-
The first piece inside the galleries, a 1967 painting by the German artist Maina-Miriam Munsky, depicts a schematic outline of a cube struggling to contain a mass of dreamy flesh.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The reason to visit this church next to the Pantheon are for the three Caravaggio paintings in its Contarelli chapel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With the title in their grasp, the Ducks have greased up their fingers, fumbling into a four-game winless slump.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Lightly grease a large nonstick skillet with butter; heat over medium.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
As Barber fell to the canvas, Grasso put her in a rear naked chokehold before the fight was quickly called.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
31 Mar. 2026
-
No influencers, no trending audio, no elaborate editing — just millions of people sleeping better to the sound of rain on canvas.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oil. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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