ANOINTING Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

anointing 1 of 2

noun

as in anointment

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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

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 Clair Obscur was already the favorite to win the grand prize — but kicking off the show with the game front-and-center felt like an anointing. — James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 12 Dec. 2025

Verb

The poetic interpretation of the photo is of Messi anointing his successor. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 19 July 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 Otherwise, the evening was more about anointing talent that was arguably overdue for awards recognition. — David Sims, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026 At least one competitor is already anointing Stolz, a seven-time world champ who’s just 21— and only halfway through the Olympic program in Milan—the best ever. — Sean Gregory, Time, 14 Feb. 2026 Hot 97 has played an outsize role for decades in debuting new hits, anointing superstars, and wading into major cultural debates; Mero’s most recent predecessor in the morning-show role is Ebro Darden, who announced the end of his 20-plus-year tenure at the station in December. — Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026 Since Ellison’s takeover of Paramount, the company has raised eyebrows for seeming to appease conservative audiences, particularly with CBS News anointing Weiss, who forged her brand as a columnist arguing against progressive politics. — J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025 Prosecutors said that instead of seeking medical treatment when their two-day-old son, Hayden, stopped eating and began to turn pale blue, Blair, 37, and Taylor, 32, relied on praying over their son’s body and anointing him with olive oil. — Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025

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

At the entrance of Kollparay, Quispe pauses, taking my hands and smearing them with soil—the soil of her village.

— Paola Miglio, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026
This will lead to smearing dust particles around instead of picking them up, which is where a wet cloth comes into play.

— Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 5 June 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

As their last retreating act, Hussein’s soldiers blew up some 700 Kuwaiti oil wells, painting the sky black with smoke and igniting unchecked fires that burned for 10 months.

— WUFT News, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
But Green’s advanced statistics sharply declined, with his box plus-minus painting him as only a slightly above-average stopper while being one of the worst offensive players in the league.

— Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 28 July 2026

Definition of painting

Noun

Which is more valuable might depend on where AI is as a technology, according to Joe Tigay, portfolio manager for the Rational Equity Armor Fund, a fund that prioritizes total return on investment.

— Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
The referendum stipulates that Oak View Group would pay the city a total capital investment of up to $10 million for restoration of the stadium.

— Tess Riski July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Definition of investment

Verb

In just three minutes, the balm leaves hair feeling noticeably softer and smoother without coating the lengths or leaving behind residue.

— Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 31 July 2026
Each spoonful was rich and silky, with creamy vanilla pudding coating tender banana slices and vanilla wafers that soaked up enough sweetness to become cake-like.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026

Definition of coating

Noun

Jones’ induction, though, might be the franchise’s last for a while.

— Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 31 July 2026
Posthumous recognition for Matt — like the WSL Hall of Fame induction — has brought Mark into contact with coaches eager to share their own mental health struggles.

— Katie Whyatt, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Definition of induction

Noun

European consumers have lagged behind the rest of the world in adopting AC, due to high energy costs, expensive installation fees and restrictions on retrofitting the continent’s older buildings.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
The installation, a partnership between Bedrock and the Detroit Historical Society that runs through 2026, paints a picture of the building’s storied history with artifacts from the restoration, period newspaper clippings, maps, and photos.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 July 2026

Definition of installation

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“Anointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anointing. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of anointing

noun

verb

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