lubricate

verb

ˈlü-brə-ˌkāt How to pronounce lubricate (audio)
Definition of lubricatenext
as in to grease
to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction used a petroleum based machine oil to lubricate the gears

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 lubricate If your shutters have hinges, clean the hardware and lubricate the hinges every month to keep them working properly. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026 The circular peddling motion is also good for lubricating the knee joint and maintaining your range of motion. — Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 30 July 2026 Your eyes constantly produce a thin layer of basal tears to keep the cornea lubricated, and the duct quietly shuttles that trickle into the nose, where it’s absorbed or blended into normal nasal mucus without a trace. — Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 The lubricating substance allows snails to stick to the ground more easily and travel more smoothly. — Laura Dorwart, Health, 22 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for lubricate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lubricate
  1. grease
  2. oil
Verb
  • Lightly grease a 2-quart ceramic or glass baking dish with baking spray.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • These hostesses greased the gears of power in the capital, and an invitation to their dinners was a chance to rub shoulders with Cabinet members and ambassadors and, occasionally, a bona fide celebrity.
    — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of grease
Verb
  • Lightly oil your hands and punch down dough, then transfer to prepared pan.
    — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026
  • To do so, place the slices in a nonstick or lightly oiled skillet over low to medium-low heat and cover the pan.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of oil

Browse Nearby Words

lubbers
lubricate
lubricated
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Cite this Entry

“Lubricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lubricate. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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