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
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Recent Examples of lubricate
Now he is used mainly as a kind of deluxe bargaining chip, passed around between Europe’s heavy rollers, lubricating a transfer for Conor Gallagher here, helping Chelsea reduce their wage bill there.
—
Jack Lang, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
On the surface, these fatty acids lubricate the hair shaft for a fuller and shinier appearance.2
Oleic and linoleic acids also penetrate the hair axis (the hair strand's core) and root.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 12 Mar. 2025
This stuff naturally lubricates the inner surfaces of the body and protects them from infection, which could help for many of the biomedical applications of the adhesive.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 26 Feb. 2025
In addition, the rhythmic movement of pedaling a bike helps lubricate arthritic joints with synovial fluid and can reduce pain levels later in the day.9
Low-Back Pain
Cycling either outdoors or on a stationary bike typically involves some degree of spinal flexion.
—Tim Petrie, Dpt, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lubricate
Jack Lang, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
On the surface, these fatty acids lubricate the hair shaft for a fuller and shinier appearance.2
Oleic and linoleic acids also penetrate the hair axis (the hair strand's core) and root.
—Carley Millhone, Health, 12 Mar. 2025
This stuff naturally lubricates the inner surfaces of the body and protects them from infection, which could help for many of the biomedical applications of the adhesive.
—Michael Irving, New Atlas, 26 Feb. 2025
In addition, the rhythmic movement of pedaling a bike helps lubricate arthritic joints with synovial fluid and can reduce pain levels later in the day.9
Low-Back Pain
Cycling either outdoors or on a stationary bike typically involves some degree of spinal flexion.
—Tim Petrie, Dpt, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lubricate
Cite this Entry
“Lubricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lubricate. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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