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
Designed to remove peach fuzz and help the skin absorb oils, serums, and moisturizers, the wee tool—clocking in at just under six inches—can also help balance an oily complexion.
—
Jenny Berg, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025
On the palate, oily vanilla richness is balanced with toffee and caramel.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
If your carpets or upholstered furniture are attacked by something greasy, leaving a horrible, oily stain, shampoo is on standby to help you out.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 18 Mar. 2025
This product can be particularly helpful for a sink or vanity where oily substances like stray toothpaste or makeup need cleaning.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oily
Jenny Berg, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025
On the palate, oily vanilla richness is balanced with toffee and caramel.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
If your carpets or upholstered furniture are attacked by something greasy, leaving a horrible, oily stain, shampoo is on standby to help you out.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 18 Mar. 2025
This product can be particularly helpful for a sink or vanity where oily substances like stray toothpaste or makeup need cleaning.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for oily
Recent Examples of Synonyms for oily
Adjective
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When Rudd, 55, appeared on Fallon's late night show to promote his new A24 movie Death of a Unicorn on Thursday, March 27, Fallon, 50, noted that Rudd has performed in just about every genre of film, television and theater one could imagine — except for the soapiest of soap operas.—
Tommy McArdle,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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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
Adjective
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Scientists had initially feared this spread could represent another Ebola-like crisis — since that disease originated in animals, then jumped to humans, sickening and killing a large number of people.—
Paul Smaglik,
Discover Magazine,
19 Mar. 2025
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The disconnect between the reality that many people are currently experiencing hunger, in part because of climate change, and this fancy dinner was sickening.—
The Dial,
The Dial,
18 Mar. 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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Unsalted butter: Adds a creamy, unctuous taste to the scampi sauce that olive oil alone can't bring.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
26 Mar. 2025
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Those suspects include the bartender (Gabrielle Ryan), a sad sack of a man on a blind date (Reed Diamond), an imperious hostess (Sarah McCormack), and an unctuous, boozy piano player (Ed Weeks).—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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That unspoken contract between gore-hungry viewers and the film is mostly forged by Christien Tinsley, the makeup effects artist whose gushy prosthetics are shown off at every turn.—
Joshua Rothkopf,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Oct. 2024
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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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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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Delta 9 Delta 9 is the most abundant cannabinoid in marijuana.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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The 1,450-square-foot living space offers an open-concept design with fresh interior and exterior paint, abundant natural light, tree-top views, and multiple outdoor venues.—
Monica Lander,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Oily.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oily. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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