lubricated 1 of 2

adjective

as in slicked
having or being a surface so smooth as to greatly reduce traction the lubricated parts of the machine were whirring smoothly

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lubricated

2 of 2

verb

past tense of lubricate
as in greased
to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction used a petroleum based machine oil to lubricate the gears

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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 lubricated
Adjective
That moisturizing combination can benefit dry, brittle strands, too, since better lubricated hair creates less friction—and potentially less tangling and mechanical breakage—during brushing and styling. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026 Mechanical watches need winding and the gears need the occasional drop of watch oil to stay lubricated. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2026 Let that be your cue not to overthink the meaning of [Become well lubricated]. — New York Times, 3 Apr. 2026 Playing 40 minutes of perhaps unfamiliar material before getting to the hits sounds challenging and, to be sure, some of the more lubricated audience members sat in stunned silence. — Ross Raihala, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026 From lubricated stabilizers to two sound-dampening foam layers beneath a stainless steel plate, the board's components seem built to last. — PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
The day manager greeted her at the club, still in his shiny vest but now well lubricated and nearly slurring his words. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 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 Specifically, these plummeting estrogen levels impair your body's baseline production of natural hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin, the building blocks that keep your skin bouncy, plump, and lubricated. — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 28 May 2026 Chain The final check is to make sure the bike’s chain is properly lubricated and not overly stretched out. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026 Diesel fuel is a lubricant and helps keep the fuel system lubricated. — Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 23 Mar. 2026 At dinner, our five-course feasts were lubricated by small-batch Peruvian wines. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Mar. 2026 Inspect them for rust and any sticky residue which can be wiped away with WD-40 (which also help keep the hinges lubricated). — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 10 Feb. 2026 Those seals need to be wiped clean periodically and lubricated. — Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lubricated
  1. slicked
  2. greased
  3. slick
  4. oiled
  5. slippery
Adjective
  • Between rough-cut fringe, mermaid wave extensions, a bouffant side part and a slicked ponytail, Madix and Bembridge fearlessly sampled every style and silhouette in the big book of hair this season.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 13 July 2026
  • But if opting for a slicked knot that eliminates all natural texture feels a little too intense, a relaxed and romantic ballet bun can provide some welcome balance.
    — Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 4 July 2026
Definition of slicked
Verb
  • 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
  • Guys loaded the shipment onto their boat once lots of hands had been greased.
    — George Boedecker Jr, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of greased
Adjective
  • Jack Hughes scored on a breakaway off a slick pass from Jesper Bratt early in overtime, lifting the New Jersey Devils to a 5-4 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The next email had a slick poster promoting the Zoom event, with the book cover as the backdrop and blurbs from the Economist and other publications.
    — Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of slick
Verb
  • 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
  • Then back by a slightly different route, past more hides and oiled walnut and blued steel.
    — John Madson, Outdoor Life, 1 July 2026
Definition of oiled
Adjective
  • Rubio weaves stories about heartbreak, drugs, and the slippery, occasionally hallucinatory process of finding your way back to your own life.
    — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2026
  • But the terrain is treacherous with muddy roads and slippery rocks.
    — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of slippery

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

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

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