oils 1 of 2

plural of oil

oils

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of oil
as in greases
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 oils
Noun
The smoke from the burning vehicles contained hazardous materials commonly found in automobiles, including fuels, oils and interior components, Nunez said, although steady winds helped disperse the smoke. Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026 According to Romine, high-quality liquid detergents are formulated to tackle both visible stains and the invisible body oils. Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 3 July 2026 Kennedy has argued that seed oils cause chronic inflammation. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 3 July 2026 Shake the bottle gently before each use to disperse the oils. The Spruce, 2 July 2026 The finca also houses the Herbal Spa, where treatments are infused with local botanicals, oils, and salts. Staff Author, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026 Regular care prevents yellowing by removing oils and buildup that dull fabrics over time. Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 1 July 2026
Verb
Ramakrishnan typically oils her hair twice a week before washing it. Katie Hill, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oils
Noun
  • Bossoms Mesa, the study's first author, explains how the researchers took the samples while also preserving the paintings.
    Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 2 July 2026
  • Amassed by the late collectors Jacques and Natasha Gelman during the 20th century, the Gelman Collection is particularly rich in works by Frida Kahlo, with 10 paintings by her.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • View this post on Instagram Access greases the gears of the entire apparatus by creating its own positive feedback loop, like an ouroboros of exclusivity.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 14 Apr. 2026
  • No eyeball-grabbing videos, no partisan commentary or agenda, and none of the edge or snark that greases the gears of the perpetual-political-outrage machine.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Adam Newport-Berra’s cinematography turns a single set into a visually alive space, using the actors’ faces as canvases for a soulful story.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 27 June 2026
  • Not as France's region of 50-plus grape varieties, but as one of its greatest canvases.
    Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Oils.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oils. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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