as in smeared
to rub an oily or sticky substance over
anoint the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anointed
In 2006, Schottenheimer became one of the youngest coordinators in NFL history when Eric Mangini anointed the 32-year-old as the offensive coordinator for the Jets after five seasons as quarterbacks coach for Washington and San Diego under his father, Marty.
—
Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
Leclerc, then 22, was anointed as the man to end Ferrari’s wait for a drivers’ championship that stretches back to 2007.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The André x Elho capsule is part of the winter 2025-26 collection, whose novelties include a down version of Elho’s bomber jacket, anointed the Astro and boasting 90 percent recycled down and a high-quality ripstop fabric.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
Gustavo Dudamel has had a lot of chances to make a first impression on the podium of the New York Philharmonic — as rookie phenom, visiting superstar, anointed future music director, and now the orchestra’s not–yet–but–de facto artistic boss.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Fathertime has been anointed by the father, son and the holy spirit.
—Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Sep. 2025
At which point Tyler re-enters the room and is given up by the terrified crowd (and, more importantly, anointed by Joan) as one of three people — including Bracken and one of the show’s dancers — who must make the film’s titular sacrifice to save the world from an imminent catastrophe.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025
Wilson was anointed the team's starter entering the season, but Dart earned the second-string role after a strong preseason performance.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Progressives in particular would prefer a new approach after the party anointed Collins’s 2020 opponent, Sara Gideon, who failed to flip the seat.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Oct. 2025
Leclerc, then 22, was anointed as the man to end Ferrari’s wait for a drivers’ championship that stretches back to 2007.
—Luke Smith, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The André x Elho capsule is part of the winter 2025-26 collection, whose novelties include a down version of Elho’s bomber jacket, anointed the Astro and boasting 90 percent recycled down and a high-quality ripstop fabric.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
Gustavo Dudamel has had a lot of chances to make a first impression on the podium of the New York Philharmonic — as rookie phenom, visiting superstar, anointed future music director, and now the orchestra’s not–yet–but–de facto artistic boss.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Fathertime has been anointed by the father, son and the holy spirit.
—Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Sep. 2025
At which point Tyler re-enters the room and is given up by the terrified crowd (and, more importantly, anointed by Joan) as one of three people — including Bracken and one of the show’s dancers — who must make the film’s titular sacrifice to save the world from an imminent catastrophe.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025
Wilson was anointed the team's starter entering the season, but Dart earned the second-string role after a strong preseason performance.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Progressives in particular would prefer a new approach after the party anointed Collins’s 2020 opponent, Sara Gideon, who failed to flip the seat.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anointed
Verb
-
Blood was smeared throughout the business.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
30 Sep. 2025
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Shohreh Dupuis left her job as city manager of Laguna Beach two years ago, in the wake of a squabble with a city council member, a threat of a harassment lawsuit, and an inquiry into into how her house came to be smeared with feces.—
Michael Slaten,
Oc Register,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The other is a sculpture, cast from bronze by Vija Celmins and painted to match the original.—
Harmon Siegel,
Artforum,
1 Oct. 2025
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The ceiling and surrounding walls are painted Valspar Sweet Clover—a soft green that pulls out the verdant hues in the wallpaper pattern (Nathan Turner's Cowboy Toile).—
Monika Biegler Eyers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Detroit paced the Central for almost the entire season … only to trip over itself, fall down a flight of stairs coated in aioli, and land on a whoopee cushion in front of its crush.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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Line a sheet pan with wax or parchment paper coated with cooking spray.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anointed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anointed. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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