as in to decompose
to combine chemically with oxygen
Iron will oxidize if it is exposed to air and moisture.
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Recent Examples of oxidize
The material can oxidize, dent, and corrode if the coating is damaged.
—
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2026
The entire composition is then exposed to a corrosive liquid, which oxidizes the copper in the textile, drawing out a chemical-looking green that circulates through the narrow channels between the foil sheets.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
In the hole, life drops away quickly as oxygen disappears, below the surface (Oxic Zone) and transition levels (Suboxic Zone); at 100-140 m (330-460 ft), the third layer called the Anoxic Zone I is almost completely dominated by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.
—New Atlas, 28 Dec. 2025
For the headstrong, maternal Agnes, who is spiritually caught between the modern world and a more ancient, primal place, Turzanska used a palette of sanguine, rust, russet, crimson, and prune, inspired by the different stages of blood—from freshly oxidized to aged, clotted, and scabbed.
—Elaina Patton, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oxidize
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2026
The entire composition is then exposed to a corrosive liquid, which oxidizes the copper in the textile, drawing out a chemical-looking green that circulates through the narrow channels between the foil sheets.
—Theo Belci, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
In the hole, life drops away quickly as oxygen disappears, below the surface (Oxic Zone) and transition levels (Suboxic Zone); at 100-140 m (330-460 ft), the third layer called the Anoxic Zone I is almost completely dominated by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.
—New Atlas, 28 Dec. 2025
For the headstrong, maternal Agnes, who is spiritually caught between the modern world and a more ancient, primal place, Turzanska used a palette of sanguine, rust, russet, crimson, and prune, inspired by the different stages of blood—from freshly oxidized to aged, clotted, and scabbed.
—Elaina Patton, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oxidize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oxidize
Verb
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After entering the home, officers found the decomposing body of an 81-year-old woman.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
4 Apr. 2026
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Over time, the soil improved by decomposing lawn clippings is more absorbent and well-drained.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Wooden stakes can warp if left leaning against a damp wall, and metal stakes can rust in humid environments.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
1 Apr. 2026
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Stainless steel pins will not rust or damage the jersey material.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Pattinson is like a manic roller coaster on screen, increasingly off the rails as the weight of Emma’s reveal has Charlie questioning everything and reacting badly to the situation.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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This weak acid can react with alkaline liquids, including industrial wastewater, to form bicarbonate.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Or this object, known by the prosaic designation C/2026 A1 (MAPS), could totally disintegrate, vaporized by the fierce heat of our star.—
Tony Hoffman,
PC Magazine,
2 Apr. 2026
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Others, however, remain faint or even fragment or disintegrate entirely.—
Michael d'Estries,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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From government to education to the workplace, DEI is crumbling.—
Greg Cote
Updated March 30,
Miami Herald,
30 Mar. 2026
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After crumbling due to the pressure at the Olympics, Malinin soared at the Figure Skating World Championships, putting on a strong short program before a clean free skate to give him his third-straight men's world title.—
Tyler Erzberger,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Most of their efforts focused on improving the catalytic converter, made more plausible when Engelhard determined that catalytic converters wouldn’t corrode with unleaded gasoline.—
Ann E. Carlson,
The Conversation,
31 Mar. 2026
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But, as steel casings corrode and seabed activity increases, engineers are growing increasingly concerned that weapons once assumed inert are becoming sources of long-term contamination.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Oxidize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oxidize. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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