anoint

verb

ə-ˈnȯint 

anointed; anointing; anoints

transitive verb

1

: to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance

2

a

: to apply oil to as part of a religious ceremony

The priest anointed the sick.

b

: to choose by or as if by divine election

anoint him as his successor

also : to designate as if by a ritual anointment

Critics have anointed her as an important new literary figure.

anointer noun

anointment

ə-ˈnȯint-mənt 

noun

Synonyms

• bedaub
• besmear
• daub
• smear

Examples of anoint in a Sentence

The magazine anointed her the most popular actress of the year.

anoint the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection

Recent Examples on the Web

If Democrats anoint a candidate not vetted through the primary process, would Trump then be the candidate to save democracy? —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 July 2024

That story will be told in Milwaukee this week, but outside the Fiserv Forum where Trump will again be anointed the Republican nominee. —David Maraniss, Washington Post, 15 July 2024

However, Democratic leadership anointing a candidate would likely do the same. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Stephen Henriques, TIME, 6 July 2024

The fiery dissents from the liberal justices, and the reaction from Democrats and the White House, paint the picture of a high court anointing the presidency as an office above the law in perpetuity. —Cameron Joseph, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French enoint, past participle of enoindre, from Latin inunguere, from in- + unguere to smear — more at ointment

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

anoint

verb

ə-ˈnȯint 

1

: to rub over with oil or an oily substance

2

: to put oil on as part of a religious ceremony

anointer noun

anointment

-mənt 

noun