as in smears
to rub an oily or sticky substance over
anoint the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 anoints
In a city that continually anoints anoints new noteworthies in the hospitality space, The Connaught remains one of London’s long-lasting greats.
—
Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 20 Mar. 2026
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
Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 20 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anoints
Verb
-
This chilling, starkly beautiful ambient piece draws Nebraska’s marginal whispers to the forefront and smears them across the picture plane.—
Sasha Geffen,
Pitchfork,
10 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
After his death while attempting a wingsuit flight in 2015, his friends began putting together footage that paints a portrait of a complex man.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Filled with music, color and passion, the drama paints a picture of a group of artists and friends for whom creativity has become a form of survival.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When ready to serve, turn the jar upside down and let sit for 2 minutes so the dressing evenly coats the salad.—
Kelly McCarthy,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The sweet dust that coats these squares is a nice touch.—
Jolene Thym,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anoints.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anoints. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
