anoint

verb

ə-ˈnȯint

anointed; anointing; anoints

Synonyms of anoint

transitive verb

: to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance

: to apply oil to as part of a religious ceremony

The priest anointed the sick.

: to choose by or as if by divine election

anoint him as his successor

also : to designate as if by a ritual anointment

Critics have anointed her as an important new literary figure.

anointer noun

anointment

ə-ˈnȯint-mənt

noun

Examples of anoint in a Sentence

The magazine anointed her the most popular actress of the year. anoint the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

But the media was very quick to anoint them as a major contender in the AFC. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Later, Keldermans and fellow clergy member Katherine Elsner anointed a congregant who was having surgery later that month and then gave her a prayer blanket blessed by the community. — Jonathan Bullington, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 With the press world’s help, Omar Jamal was anointed as the authoritative voice on all political issues concerning Minnesota’s Somali community and the Somali population at large in America. — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026 The Dodgers signed Díaz for $69 million last December and feted him and his family with a lovely news conference, at which president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman anointed the three-time All-Star as the undisputed closer. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anoint

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French enoint, past participle of enoindre, from Latin inunguere, from in- + unguere to smear — more at ointment

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of anoint was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Anoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anoint. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

anoint

verb

ə-ˈnȯint

: to rub over with oil or an oily substance

: to put oil on as part of a religious ceremony

anointer noun

anointment

-mənt

noun

anoint

verb

Synonyms of anoint

Examples of anoint in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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anoint

verb

Synonyms of anoint

Examples of anoint in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for anoint

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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