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
One Battle’s front-runner status came from the top down, its greatness anointed by critics and tastemakers before the general audience could see it.
—
Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
The wins come on the heels of the Gotham Film Awards anointing One Battle After Another its Best Feature on Monday, and the New York Film Critics Circle doing the same Tuesday.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2025
The Lionel Messi-Lamine Yamal connection For believers in the soccer gods, Lamine Yamal's ascent to the upper echelons of the sport could almost seem predestined with Lamine anointed by a Barça icon — Lionel Messi.
—Nathalie Sommer, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025
The episode officially anoints a new captain for the 118 — and sees Harry considering a life fighting fires.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anoint
Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
The wins come on the heels of the Gotham Film Awards anointing One Battle After Another its Best Feature on Monday, and the New York Film Critics Circle doing the same Tuesday.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2025
The Lionel Messi-Lamine Yamal connection For believers in the soccer gods, Lamine Yamal's ascent to the upper echelons of the sport could almost seem predestined with Lamine anointed by a Barça icon — Lionel Messi.
—Nathalie Sommer, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025
The episode officially anoints a new captain for the 118 — and sees Harry considering a life fighting fires.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anoint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anoint
Verb
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Blood was smeared on the hood, roof and rear of the sedan.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Hadid appears beat up with a gash on her arm, dirt on her face, and smeared black eye makeup.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Pedro had painted the model in bright colors—red, blue, and yellow—and the circular ballet of the trio against the green jungle didn’t feel out of place; rather, the birds seemed to enjoy the homage being paid to them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Doig is an avid skier and a hockey fan, and often paints alpine scenes.—
Anna Russell,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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These wooden utensils are coated in a clear lacquer that protects them and adds a beautiful shine.—
Gabriela Izquierdo,
Southern Living,
16 Jan. 2026
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The concha is coated in chocolate and drizzled and filled with creamy pistachio, with slices of strawberries tucked inside.—
Austin American Statesman,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anoint. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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