as in anointment
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as in smearing
to rub an oily or sticky substance over
anoint the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection
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Recent Examples of 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
Hugh Son, CNBC, 1 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
The wins come on the heels of the Gotham Film Awards anointing One Battle After Another its Best Feature on Monday, and the New York Film Critics Circle doing the same Tuesday.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2025
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
Already, awards prognosticators are anointing it a possible Oscar player in several major categories.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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
Matthias Balk | Picture Alliance | Getty Images Five years ago, venture capitalists were pouring money into American startups selling everything from lingerie subscriptions to scheduling software, anointing them with billion-dollar valuations before most even turned a profit.
—Hugh Son, CNBC, 1 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
The wins come on the heels of the Gotham Film Awards anointing One Battle After Another its Best Feature on Monday, and the New York Film Critics Circle doing the same Tuesday.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2025
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
Already, awards prognosticators are anointing it a possible Oscar player in several major categories.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 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
Verb
-
While being held at the Independence Police Department’s detention unit, Ashley allegedly damaged the inside of a cell by smearing feces and blood on the walls and floor.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
-
In 2012, the gossip site Gawker, infamous for smearing conservative activists, published embarrassing footage of Hogan that had been secretly recorded and had no legitimate news value.—
George Harris,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Birds are also ahead in co-ordination.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
Most students who complete these programs are not seeking traditional ordination as rabbis.—
Michal Raucher,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
My mother sighed remembering, a faint smile painting her lips.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 June 2026
-
And fortunately, Erik Bork, the director of that film, really wanted to check his own biases and echo chambers and invited us and others to help advise him on the script and to ensure that the script itself is not painting a caricature of the characters.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
The Lewis family, who own Tottenham Hotspur, are promising to step up investment in the club after a near-miss with relegation from the Premier League.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
Many are still forming banking habits, building credit, choosing investment platforms and deciding which institutions deserve trust.—
Jeff Fromm,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Acer used a Corning Gorilla Matte Pro screen coating to reduce glare in open offices or outdoors.—
John Burek,
PC Magazine,
29 May 2026
-
The texture is medium-full and velvety, coating the palate in a slow, even wave.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
The kitchen is nearby and is equipped with a sink, an induction cooktop, an oven, and a fridge/freezer.—
Adam Williams
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2026
-
Newsome’s journalism won various awards throughout her career, including an induction into the Silver Circle by the Mid-America Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the organization that awards local Emmys.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
Clarify the installation of storm shutters, responsibilities for securing outdoor furniture, and protocols for rent abatement if the property is damaged.—
Jennifer Borresen,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
-
Months of contractor conversations, technology evaluations, capital outlays, and post-installation apps that required their own learning curve.—
Afdhel Aziz,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anointing. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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