as in smeared
to rub an oily or sticky substance over
anoint the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of anointed
The force of the example, as Taggart explains, lies in us forgetting that Lizzo was once an oddball rapper-flautist who was anointed by Prince; an indie artist with pipes who endeared herself to mean Brooklyn gays.
—
Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 11 June 2026
Sometimes he was described as a modern-day Cyrus, a Persian king and a pagan in the Hebrew Bible whom God nevertheless anointed and would use for his purposes.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
His coach, John Tortorella, anointed him the best 200-foot player in hockey after a dominating defensive effort against Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche in the conference final, and for good reason.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 10 June 2026
In the wake of the shooting, many New Yorkers anointed him a hero for doling out street justice in the crime-riddled subway system.
—Kevin Lozano, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
Curry Barker, the writer-director of Obsession, has been similarly anointed.
—Tyler Chou, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
As long as there has been gaming media, there have been anointed games that everyone who’s part of the club is expected to like.
—ArsTechnica, 25 May 2026
Lewer wasn’t the only prizewinner anointed at the ceremony.
—News Desk, Artforum, 8 May 2026
Now adding to an imposing lineup that includes Baruch Spinoza, Karl Marx, Franz Kafka, Sigmund Freud, and Albert Einstein, as well as artistic luminaries ranging from Leonard Bernstein to Mark Rothko, the publisher has anointed Stephen Sondheim.
—Chip Brown, Air Mail, 11 Apr. 2026
Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 11 June 2026
Sometimes he was described as a modern-day Cyrus, a Persian king and a pagan in the Hebrew Bible whom God nevertheless anointed and would use for his purposes.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
His coach, John Tortorella, anointed him the best 200-foot player in hockey after a dominating defensive effort against Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche in the conference final, and for good reason.
—Jesse Granger, New York Times, 10 June 2026
In the wake of the shooting, many New Yorkers anointed him a hero for doling out street justice in the crime-riddled subway system.
—Kevin Lozano, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
Curry Barker, the writer-director of Obsession, has been similarly anointed.
—Tyler Chou, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
As long as there has been gaming media, there have been anointed games that everyone who’s part of the club is expected to like.
—ArsTechnica, 25 May 2026
Lewer wasn’t the only prizewinner anointed at the ceremony.
—News Desk, Artforum, 8 May 2026
Now adding to an imposing lineup that includes Baruch Spinoza, Karl Marx, Franz Kafka, Sigmund Freud, and Albert Einstein, as well as artistic luminaries ranging from Leonard Bernstein to Mark Rothko, the publisher has anointed Stephen Sondheim.
—Chip Brown, Air Mail, 11 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anointed
Verb
-
Over in the next aisle, Gifty Anderson, who typically buys bales from Canada and the United Kingdom, held up a dress smeared with body makeup and tossed it aside without a second thought.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
8 June 2026
-
The dog couldn’t go in her room so soon after her transplant, so Aspen dabbed colors on a small canvas and handed it to Scott, who put it in a plastic bag and smeared peanut butter on top.—
Laura Ungar,
Los Angeles Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Washington — Fifty stars painted on deep blue next to seven red and white stripes will take the skies this summer on two United Airlines planes.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
-
The painting was part of an exhibition called Eden, which closed June 6, and included portraits of Black people painted in green.—
Devorah Lauter,
ARTnews.com,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Shrimp become juicy and sweet, zucchini and carrots are crisp-tender, and everything is nicely coated in the bright lemon pepper seasoning.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 June 2026
-
The brand is also introducing a new category called Dunked, featuring tenders, wings, and sandwiches coated in sauce for a bold, flavor-forward experience.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anointed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anointed. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
