as in soapy
overly or insincerely flattering
an executive who surrounds herself with oily, sycophantic assistants
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of oily
Eighty bins of oily debris were removed, totaling about 1,600 cubic yards, during the operation that lasted the better part of three weeks.
—
Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026
According to Smith, people with normal and oily skin can often use standard formulas, whereas those with dry or mature skin should opt for hydrating ones to prevent irritation and creasing.
—Caroline Shannon Karasik, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Instead, opt for pore-minimizing setting powder on just your T-zone or oily areas at the end of your routine.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
If there are oily marks, smudges or water spots on your sensor, this method is particularly useful.
—Jacob Little, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oily
Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026
According to Smith, people with normal and oily skin can often use standard formulas, whereas those with dry or mature skin should opt for hydrating ones to prevent irritation and creasing.
—Caroline Shannon Karasik, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Instead, opt for pore-minimizing setting powder on just your T-zone or oily areas at the end of your routine.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2026
If there are oily marks, smudges or water spots on your sensor, this method is particularly useful.
—Jacob Little, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for oily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oily
Adjective
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Bref 2 has been big in France, Rivals has created a lot of buzz in the UK, France-originated show The Lost Station Girls did really well in Latin America, and soapy Turkish dramas have travelled.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
25 Mar. 2026
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There’s a lovely, gentle soapy smell throughout the hotel.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Thanks to Epperson’s goal from the front-left side of the crease in the second OT, the Pioneers avoided a sickening taste of déjà vu.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
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Every repeat viewing of Abraham's performance reveals some new moment of humiliation — some fresh sickening glimmer of anguish that feels all too familiar.—
Devan Coggan,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His widow doesn’t exactly look too broken up; less than a week after his death, Lee spots her snuggling with Dale’s brother Donald, an oleaginous candidate for governor played by Kyle MacLachlan.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Ella Stiller arrives as Patience, Valerie’s social-media guru, Jack O’Brien sweetly plays her new hairdresser, and Andrew Scott, doing the most to eradicate any lingering Hot Priest vibes, plays a wildly unctuous NuNet executive.—
Jennifer Silverman,
Rolling Stone,
29 Mar. 2026
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For the richest, densest, most unctuous quiche, choose heavy cream.—
Georgeanne Brennan,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Social Security Administration sent a gushy, questionable email July 4 to millions of people collecting Social Security benefits and others.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
21 July 2025
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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
Adjective
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But all the myth and sorrow around the dynasty mean many takes tilt hagiographic.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
23 Mar. 2026
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The Gracious Visionary is a rather hagiographic film title for one’s life and work.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
22 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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With abundant nutrients available, algal growth can explode, reducing oxygen levels and harming aquatic life.—
Anthony Reardon,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
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Making It All Work Sacramento offers many undeniable advantages, including a vibrant cultural scene and abundant urban forests that are hard to find in many other cities.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oily. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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