ANOINTING Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

anointing 1 of 2

noun

as in anointment

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Dissimilar Words

anointing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of anoint

as in smearing

to rub an oily or sticky substance over anoint the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 anointing

Noun

Film buffs see this process as akin to an anointing; the trademark C, tucked into the upper-left corner of a plastic clamshell, signals a movie’s importance. — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026 Daemon charged his queen with making a show of strength for all the realm to see, and her response is to once again visit the High Septon and beg for an anointing. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026 Then came ChatGPT, a false recession alarm, a peak in inflation, the anointing of the Mag 7 and, eventually, last week’s three fresh all-time highs. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026 When James was in his third NBA season, as Clark is now, the commercial anointing had already happened, even though championships and MVPs were still years away. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026 The Sunshine State Letdown is one more phase in the choreographed anointing of Donalds as the Republican nominee for governor. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2026 By all accounts, virality is violent for its subjects, and building a sustainable career from sudden celebrity is a formidable task; any sensible person would be wise to distrust such an instantaneous anointing. — Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026 Chalamet represents a less comfortable path for the industry — an anointing of the popular kid, an endorsement of a set of campaign standards that doesn’t exactly align with its own. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 4 Mar. 2026 The anointing of Dokoupil in mid-December may have surprised some viewers. — Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026

Verb

To his surprise, Wall Street financiers approached him on the street to praise Gekko — anointing him as their hero. — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 Think Lady Gaga anointing herself an A-list leading lady by way of her grand appearance for the premiere of A Star Is Born. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026 By anointing Watson as their franchise savior, the Haslams disregarded all those women. — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 All the police will find is a crowd sitting in silent vigil and a bottle of olive oil for anointing the ill. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 25 Aug. 2026 The third floor contains meeting rooms where Smith and other leaders inaugurated a rite that involved foot-washing and anointing by oil, and where Smith reported a divine revelation of new teachings. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 That’s similar to the story of Odysseus’ anointing by an old woman in Odyssey 19, MacDonald says. — John Blake, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026 There’s no audience score yet on Rotten Tomatoes, but there’s been positive word of mouth from the media who’ve watched the epic, who are already anointing it with awards-season buzz. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 14 July 2026 The brochures were distributed at the annual Extel awards, a survey of fund managers anointing the analysts deemed best in their field, announced at a lunch at the Guildhall. — Ian King, CNBC, 17 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anointing

Noun

The result of this dynamic tension of bootlickers, according to Bernhard’s narrator, is the perpetual elevation and official anointment of mediocrity.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026
According to the Dera, Singh’s ascent to power is a story of divine anointment.

— Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026

Definition of anointment

Verb

Yet what follows is an extended list of ethical sins, with a focus on the sins of abusive speech, such as slandering, slurring, slighting and smearing the reputations of others.

— Reuven Kimelman, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
People have gone from smearing the compound on their faces to using injections, in hopes of achieving firmer, wrinkle-free skin and other anti-aging benefits.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of smearing

Noun

The July 2 decree said the two bishops leading the unauthorized ordination, held in Switzerland on July 1, had been excommunicated, along with the four priests who had become new bishops, which was widely expected.

— Joshua McElwee, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Cardinal Blaise Cupich presided over the ordination.

— CBS Chicago Team, CBS News, 20 June 2026

Definition of ordination

Verb

Despite increasingly critical media coverage of AI and the spread of data centers across the US, one news network has been painting a more positive picture.

— J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Not all of Wright’s suggestions for painting the museum were so subtle.

— Wendy S. Walters, Architectural Digest, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of painting

Verb

Electron beams replace ovens Ateios says the process enables coating speeds of 30 meters per minute across a 300-millimeter-wide web.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Locals and government officials were clearing debris and shoveling thick mud coating much of the town.

— Eugene Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of coating

Noun

The pay-per-view will coincide with the TNA Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

— Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Built in 1900 and fully renovated, the 1,750-square-foot house had a long kitchen with an induction stove and black granite counters, a spacious living and dining room, big windows and a cozy front porch.

— Gabe Castro-Root, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of induction

Noun

The team also evaluated methods for attaching sensors to storage casks, with the aim of developing installations capable of remaining in place for years under high-temperature and high-radiation conditions.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2026
The Patriot air-defense system is designed to protect military installations, troops and other critical infrastructure from incoming ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as hostile aircraft.

— James LaPorta, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of installation

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“Anointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anointing. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of anointing

noun

verb

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