as in soapy
overly or insincerely flattering
an executive who surrounds herself with oily, sycophantic assistants
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oily
On July 18, 2019, a Cheshire resident with property abutting Cuff Brook observed dead fish and discolored water with an oily sheen in the brook and smelled a chemical odor similar to lighter fluid, officials said.
—
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2025
The wine is full-bodied and opulent, with a slightly oily texture and a brisk acidity.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
They should be structured but not starchy, fatty but not oily.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 16 Jan. 2025
Retinol is a powerhouse ingredient that speeds up cellular renewal, refines the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and, for those with more oily or congested skin, prevents breakouts and blemishes.
—Felicity Carter, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for oily 
Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 18 Jan. 2025
The wine is full-bodied and opulent, with a slightly oily texture and a brisk acidity.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
They should be structured but not starchy, fatty but not oily.
—Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 16 Jan. 2025
Retinol is a powerhouse ingredient that speeds up cellular renewal, refines the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and, for those with more oily or congested skin, prevents breakouts and blemishes.
—Felicity Carter, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for oily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oily
Adjective
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There is just cause for the soapier parts: Manet was married, and Morisot wed his brother.—
Julie Belcove,
Robb Report,
23 Nov. 2024
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The group that seems to have inspired Reid is Fleetwood Mac, which, with its shifting intramural love relationships, sundry drug problems and issues of control — the soapiest of rock’s many operas — was a romance novel/miniseries waiting to happen.—
Robert LloydTelevision Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Mar. 2023
Adjective
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Sunday night’s premiere at the Eccles Center was met with screams, laughs and squirms of discomfort during the film’s more sickening moments.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
29 Jan. 2025
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Respiratory viruses are continuing to spread across the United States, sickening millions of Americans.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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One defense, beginning in the late eighteen-hundreds, was flypaper, sheets of which were coated on one side with an oleaginous substance that lured flies, then permanently trapped them.—
David Owen,
The New Yorker,
27 July 2024
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At any moment, the noodles might dissolve, the cheese topping burn, the dish collapse into a soggy, oleaginous mess.—
Isaac Butler,
The New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2023
Adjective
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Mandelson is a deeply charming, borderline unctuous character.—
Sam Knight,
The New Yorker,
20 Jan. 2025
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The pickled mustard seeds provide little pears of flavor and an edge of acid that cuts through the unctuous dish.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The chatter has only grown in recent days, after Ms. Anderson — who just celebrated a birthday — posted a story on her Instagram account, showing a lavish bouquet of flowers and a gushy card from an admirer.—
Jesse McKinley,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2024
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There’s no better time to embrace the mushy gushy than in the first few moments after winning gold medals together.—
Meg Linehan,
The Athletic,
10 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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Likewise, Hollywood stars were adored in hagiographic terms.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes,
13 Jan. 2025
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Recording a song for the hagiographic Ronald Reagan movie but not his own biopic?—
Chris Stanton,
Vulture,
25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Arctic grayling were once so abundant in Michigan’s rivers that European settlers named a city after them: Grayling, a small town located along the Au Sable River.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
6 Feb. 2025
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First time winners were abundant An exciting, early theme of the 67th Grammy Awards?—
Maria Sherman,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near oily
Cite this Entry
“Oily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oily. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
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