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

None of this excuses Chris’ malicious behavior, not just toward Carrie but toward her future stepsister, Brooklyn (Rowan Danielle), and the school as a whole, mostly via a fake Instagram account devoted to smearing students and faculty alike.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 Oct. 2026
Disliking someone is an opinion — smearing their reputation is something else.

— Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of smearing

Noun

Bishop Martha Mary Sherman, left, carries a crucifix and stand while priests Linda Wilcox, center, and Mary Smith carry other items for a rehearsal for Annie Girresch’s ordination.

— Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
The tragedy unfolded just one day after the archdiocese congratulated Sánchez Molinari on the anniversary of his ordination, Ecuadorian news outlet Primicias reported.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of ordination

Verb

For years, conservatives have been painting California as a progressive basket case, predicting that Democratic mismanagement would plunge its economy down the tubes and send rich people fleeing.

— Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026
My local store was running an employee pumpkin-painting contest, with all the finished pumpkins lined up in the big bay window by the checkout lines for patrons to vote on their favorite one.

— Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of painting

Noun

The complication is that about 95% of the world’s 46,000 McDonald’s restaurants are owned and operated by franchisees — and some have pushed back against a proposal that could require $650,000 to $800,000 of investment per store.

— Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Wyoming investment extends beyond Google said the $17 billion investment is intended to deliver long-term economic benefits to Laramie County and the wider state.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of investment

Verb

On the last day of August, Jeff van den Noort spotted thick swirls of neon green film coating the water just steps from his home in Vermont.

— Jonathan Mingle, ProPublica, 4 Nov. 2026
That project involved color-coating the basketball court at Apple Hill Park on the village’s north side.

— Steve Zalusky, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of coating

Noun

Gramm revealed that the two reconciled prior to the band’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024.

— Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Like Shelton, Tim McGraw caught up with Anderson last Sunday night at the Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of induction

Noun

Raxxy, a brand founded by William Shen, will create an installation at the fair in January showcasing the brand’s down jackets that blur the lines between fashion, mathematics and sculpture.

— Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 2026
Each unit is clearly graded on its efficiency, ease of installation, and standout features.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of installation

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anointing

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Style

“Anointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anointing. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of anointing

noun

verb

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