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
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
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
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
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
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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
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According to the Dera, Singh’s ascent to power is a story of divine anointment.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Noun
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Weeks after his ordination, Borba celebrated his first public Mass, encouraging others searching for peace and purpose to strengthen their faith.—
Anthony Thompson,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
-
Birds are also ahead in co-ordination.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Much credit is still due to Tony Seltzer; thanks to the quality of its original, the producers Purity (Flips) are painting with a huge palette of colors.—
Benny Sun,
Pitchfork,
17 June 2026
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Her husband, who works in a factory painting industrial trucks, would be penalized for such a move, imperiling future raises.—
Andrea Hsu,
NPR,
16 June 2026
Noun
-
Financial and investment analysts These analysts work with portfolio managers and investment teams, conducting research to decide how money should be invested.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
For example, regular brokerage accounts, savings accounts and other investment vehicles that are not considered qualified retirement plans will generally not receive the same bankruptcy exemptions.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Thick colonies are already coating boats, piers and pipelines.—
Carmela Karcher,
CBS News,
16 June 2026
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Standing before it, Khalaf saw how the wall of the adjacent building had toppled onto the ground floor, flooding the shop with rubble and coating everything with a film of fine gray dust.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
15 June 2026
Noun
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The passenger-side kitchen block has a stow-away induction cooktop, sink and cabinetry, with the 122-L compressor fridge and microwave stacked together aft of the wet bath across the aisle.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 June 2026
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Taylor Swift and Steven Spielberg delivered an unexpected one-two punch at June 11's Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
In a city celebrated for artworks that have survived for centuries, this installation was very nearly too transient.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
As part of the opening weekend, people can access free tours for the campus' gardens and art installations.—
Victor Jacobo,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anointing. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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