anoint

verb

ə-ˈnȯint 

anointed; anointing; anoints

transitive verb

1

: to smear or rub with oil or an oily substance

2

a

: to apply oil to as part of a religious ceremony

The priest anointed the sick.

b

: 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

Synonyms

• bedaub
• besmear
• daub
• smear

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

Now that Trump has anointed him, Kennedy’s nomination could present an opportunity to de-link public health from any one political party’s identity. —Keren Landman, Vox, 27 Nov. 2024

To be sure, self-denial on Yom Kippur involves abstaining from all life energy – not only from eating and drinking but from washing, anointing ourselves, using cosmetics, wearing leather shoes and cohabitation. —Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 7 Oct. 2024

Yet to anoint it a contender for the pop flameout of the year and move on ignores the nagging trends that merged to form this Infinity Gauntlet of missteps. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2024

Hillary Clinton was anointed by Barack Obama as his successor, and no one challenged her in the primaries. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Nov. 2024

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

Kids Definition

anoint

verb

ə-ˈnȯint 

1

: to rub over with oil or an oily substance

2

: to put oil on as part of a religious ceremony

anointer noun

anointment

-mənt 

noun