as in smears
to rub an oily or sticky substance over
anoint the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anoints
The episode officially anoints a new captain for the 118 — and sees Harry considering a life fighting fires.
—
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 2025
The Swedish institution often anoints writers who metabolize their specific histories into memorable language that stretches beyond borders and governments, transcending regional particulars.
—Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Nov. 2025
The Swedish institution often anoints writers who metabolize their specific histories into memorable language that stretches beyond borders and governments, transcending regional particulars.
—Walt Hunter, The Atlantic, 9 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anoints
Verb
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The five pieces offer, in turn, biomorphic hints of de Kooning, the ragged shapes of Clyfford Still, the bold geometries of Ellsworth Kelly, the paint smears of Gerhard Richter, and something that looks like toothpaste squeezed onto an orange peel.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
22 Dec. 2025
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Teachers Union leader Randi Weingarten smears Trump voters as fascists!—
The Hill,
The Hill,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The podcast paints Jordan as an increasingly controlling and abusive on-and-off-again boyfriend of Arceneaux's who at one point gave her three pages of rules to follow, like sharing social media passwords and her location.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
24 Jan. 2026
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As a weather event nears, the NWS’ high resolution guidance paints a clearer picture, Prater said.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The molasses coats the sugar crystals, giving brown sugar its characteristic color, moisture, and caramel-like flavor.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
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Dressing made with lemon, chili powder, cumin, and hot sauce coats a blend of rice and red beans.—
Ginger Crichton,
Midwest Living,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anoints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anoints. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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