OXIDIZING Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

oxidizing

verb

present participle of oxidize

as in rusting

to combine chemically with oxygen Iron will oxidize if it is exposed to air and moisture.

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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 oxidizing Chloride ions readily attack many alloys, while components around the oxygen-producing anode side are simultaneously subject to strongly oxidizing electrochemical potentials. — New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 The sun really did a number on it, oxidizing the paint, while water also found its way into one of the engines. — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 20 Aug. 2026 These oxidizing species can chemically react with the membrane that surrounds a bacterium, damaging and destroying it. — Rahul Rao, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2026 But recent studies have shown that erosion can also emit CO2 by oxidizing organic carbon contained in eroding sediments. — Howard Lee, ArsTechnica, 26 June 2026 The acid prevents cut apples from oxidizing and turning brown, while keeping sliced avocadoes or guacamole bright green. — Catharine Kaufman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2026 By capturing the oxygen, the coating prevents it from oxidizing the electrolyte and forming harmful byproducts. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Mar. 2026 Those flies themselves depend on sulfur-oxidizing microbes as their primary food source. — Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2025 What's more, the oxidizing process would simply start again, and the entire structure would turn green again in a few short years. — Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for oxidizing

Verb

This is particularly necessary for knives made from high-carbon steel, which are prone to rusting.

— Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2026
Preparing for a possible attack, the gunner fired a heavy-caliber round from his rusting weapon.

— Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of rusting

Verb

The evolution of land plants and the development of soil go hand in hand—as these pioneering plants, trees, and animals died and their decomposing remains were recycled on land, by fungi and the first soil invertebrates, modern soils began to form.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Even poor Maggie the cat — the only living animal in Digger’s house and possibly one of the last living animals in the world — is decomposing in his arms, his sister (Sandra Hüller) says with a shudder.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of decomposing

Verb

Scott’s face, in this shot, is a whole novel, disintegrating into tears before being shored up again, eventually rearranged into something resembling a welcoming smile that teeters on the edge of collapse.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
The 110-floor south tower, struck shortly after the north tower by another plane, was disintegrating.

— Diane Herbst, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of disintegrating

Verb

Their complaints include inadequate staffing at schools, a lack of resources, crumbling infrastructure, and allegedly overpacked schedules.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
During her time in office, the city has weathered federal immigration raids and witnessed a continuing exit of Hollywood jobs, while residents complain about dirty, crumbling streets and homeless encampments.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of crumbling

Verb

Deterioration is exacerbated if water reaches the steel rebar, corroding from inside the concrete mass and thereby weakening the integrity of the wall.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
Rust often comes from corroding fasteners or nearby metal, while mold thrives on dirt and moisture buildup.

— The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of corroding

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oxidizing

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“Oxidizing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/oxidizing. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of oxidizing

verb

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