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
-
The data paints a stark picture.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
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The league paints this as a positive that better aligns everyone.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
12 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cheddar and cream of mushroom soup combine to make a rich sauce that coats spaghetti noodles, vegetables, and shredded chicken.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
16 Feb. 2026
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It’s known for its precision nylon brush—more like a flat comb than a fluffy spoolie—that thoroughly coats, lifts, and lengthens each individual lash.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anoints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anoints. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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