anoint

verb

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\ ə-ˈnȯint

anointed; anointing; anoints

Definition of anoint

transitive verb

1 : to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance

2a : 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.

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Synonyms for anoint

Synonyms

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 Even though New England posted a 7-9 record in 2020 for its first losing season since 2000 and the Patriots used their first-round pick on Jones on Thursday night, Belichick didn’t anoint the rookie QB in addressing reporters after the first round. — Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, "Mac Jones’ secret is out after NFL Draft’s first round," 30 Apr. 2021 We are told in the Bible that three women, friends and followers of Jesus, came to the tomb of their Master early on the Sunday morning following his crucifixion in order to anoint his body. — Robert Barron, WSJ, "Recovering the Strangeness of Easter," 2 Apr. 2021 After starting him at the beginning of the season, Kerr moved Wiseman to a bench role in late January, only to insert him back into the first unit two weeks ago and anoint him the permanent starter. — Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, "Why Warriors' Steve Kerr is facing the biggest challenge of his coaching career," 6 Apr. 2021 Rather than replicating the Emmys' outpouring of love for Schitt's Creek, the Globes will look to anoint a new queen of comedy. — David Canfield, EW.com, "Golden Globes 2021 winner predictions: EW picks who should and who will win," 22 Feb. 2021 Fortunately, the letter was roundly denounced for suggesting that the military should anoint itself the final arbiter of a political question by calling for the chairman to exercise unconstitutional discretion. — Mackubin Owens, Washington Examiner, "Stop dragging the military into election fights," 31 Dec. 2020 Legions of Roman Catholic priests donned personal protective equipment and ventured, at great personal risk, into hospital rooms to anoint the dying with oil. — Michael Luo, The New Yorker, "An Advent Lament in the Pandemic," 20 Dec. 2020 No, nine games aren’t enough to anoint the Dolphins. — Dave Hyde, sun-sentinel.com, "Hyde: This next stretch is about the Dolphins more than their opponents | Commentary," 21 Nov. 2020 But Rams coach Sean McVay is not ready to publicly anoint rookie Cam Akers as the team’s featured running back. — Gary Klein Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Cam Akers runs to front of the Rams’ running back rotation," 11 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anoint.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.