anoint

verb

\ ə-ˈnȯint

anointed; anointing; anoints

Definition of anoint

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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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

Smith, an eighth-grade dropout who went to work at 15 to support his widowed mother, was deemed by most a coarse ward heeler beholden to the Tammany Hall satraps who anointed him. — Edward Kosner, WSJ, "‘Frank and Al’ Review: A Friendship Forged in Albany," 25 Sep. 2018 The state committee members would gather in a Harlem church to officially anoint her — and to mark their independence from Mr. Cuomo’s political bullying. — Vivian Wang, New York Times, "Nixon Tops Working Families Ticket, but Party Remains at ‘Crossroads’," 19 May 2018 The jerk fish is spiked with gingerbread spice, and the Cavan double-stack burger is anointed with a tangy Sazerac BBQ sauce. — Paul Oswell, Condé Nast Traveler, "21 Best Restaurants in New Orleans," 28 Feb. 2018 This newly anointed Rosie soon came to be considered the platonic form. — Margalit Fox, New York Times, "Naomi Parker Fraley, the Real Rosie the Riveter, Dies at 96," 22 Jan. 2018 Witch tip: Carve your name and zodiac sign into a pink candle using a tooth pink, anoint it with your favorite essential oil, and then burn the candle for as a self-love spell. — Sophie Saint Thomas, Allure, "Color Magick: A Beginner's Guide to Harnessing the Power of Every Color," 25 Sep. 2018 Last summer, the franchise announced the hiring of Dr. Daniel Medina and anointed him its medical messiah. — Marcus Hayes, Philly.com, "Sixers top doctor Daniel Medina says his first year keeping Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons on the court was a success | Marcus Hayes," 9 July 2018 Soriano, meanwhile, became the anointed MAGA Fashion Designer, a title no one else wanted. — Elizabeth Raiss, refinery29.com, "Who Is Andre Soriano, The Gay, Immigrant Designer Obsessed With Donald Trump?," 27 June 2018 Quady North Seeking a fresh opportunity, Herb Quady left his family’s successful California dessert wine business to found this Rogue Valley property and anointed himself President for Life in 2005. — Tim Teichgraeber, SFChronicle.com, "Five vineyards you must see in Oregon’s lesser-known Rogue Valley region," 23 May 2018

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.