as in to smear
to rub an oily or sticky substance over
anoint the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anoint
In a league defined by dynasties, the pundits and talking heads can’t help but anoint them prematurely.
—
Dieter Kurtenbach, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025
The local olive trees have long furnished the oil used to anoint kings and high priests.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Even anger? Become a Subscriber After that performance, the source of the awkwardness suggested itself: Pop’s anointed next It Boy seems to be learning the limits of his charm in real time.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Apr. 2025
There’s comfort in recognition, and pleasure in anointing a new daddy (especially one with such a perfectly illustrative tattoo).
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anoint
Dieter Kurtenbach, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025
The local olive trees have long furnished the oil used to anoint kings and high priests.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Even anger? Become a Subscriber After that performance, the source of the awkwardness suggested itself: Pop’s anointed next It Boy seems to be learning the limits of his charm in real time.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Apr. 2025
There’s comfort in recognition, and pleasure in anointing a new daddy (especially one with such a perfectly illustrative tattoo).
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anoint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anoint
Verb
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In extreme cases, some parents will threaten to smear the therapist's name, leave bad reviews, complain to the licensing board, or even threaten the therapist’s physical safety.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
23 June 2025
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The assertion by certain anonymous users online is a typically out-of-context and absurd effort to create fake news for clicks and to smear.—
Chloe Mayer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 June 2025
Verb
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Each bottle is painted with one of six native Mexican species—the axolotl, jaguar, monarch butterfly, dwarf jay, Tamaulipas owl, or Mexican wolf that are assigned randomly for each purchase—houses an extra añejo that rests for three years in both new American and European oak.—
Jillian Dara,
Forbes.com,
27 June 2025
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Those numbers paint a broad picture but ignore myriad personal stories and struggles.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
27 June 2025
Verb
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Add 1/2 cup of warm dressing and toss to coat the ingredients evenly.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
20 June 2025
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Sear in a hot pan coated in a thin layer of oil until the meat is browned to your liking.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anoint. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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