anointed; anointing; anoints
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
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
In 2024, Joe Biden sailed to the Democratic presidential nomination after a primary process that was little more than a formality, with the Florida Democratic Party even cancelling its primary in March to anoint Biden.
—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
The press had already anointed him the heir apparent to Diego Maradona; an emotional Maradona was filmed in the stands, with his arms in the air, as Messi entered the game.
—
Jordan Salama,
New Yorker,
27 June 2026
Upon Daley’s death in 1976, Donovan immediately convened meetings in his office to negotiate and anoint Daley’s successor.
—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
As Sonnenfeld shows in his 1988 book The Hero’s Farewell, heroes never select themselves but are anointed by society as pillars of that society’s values.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for anoint
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Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 June 2026
The press had already anointed him the heir apparent to Diego Maradona; an emotional Maradona was filmed in the stands, with his arms in the air, as Messi entered the game.
—
Jordan Salama,
New Yorker,
27 June 2026
Upon Daley’s death in 1976, Donovan immediately convened meetings in his office to negotiate and anoint Daley’s successor.
—
Bob Goldsborough,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
As Sonnenfeld shows in his 1988 book The Hero’s Farewell, heroes never select themselves but are anointed by society as pillars of that society’s values.
—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Fortune,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for anoint
Cite this Entry
“Anoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anoint. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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