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 of anoint

• smear
• paint
• coat

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

With her long-percolating followup LP, plaudits came from Zane Lowe, and Spotify’s international editorial team, which anointed her as one of the streaming giant’s Artists To Watch 2026. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2026

The Chinese Restaurant Awards had anointed our destination, Jiangnan Wok, the Best New Restaurant in 2024. — Christopher Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2026

But the media was very quick to anoint them as a major contender in the AFC. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026

Later, Keldermans and fellow clergy member Katherine Elsner anointed a congregant who was having surgery later that month and then gave her a prayer blanket blessed by the community. — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

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

Rhymes for anoint

• adjoint
• appoint
• checkpoint
• conjoint
• disjoint
• endpoint
• gunpoint
• midpoint
• nonpoint
• pinpoint
• standpoint
• viewpoint

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