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

At just 19 years old, Watkins has already been anointed a subcultural icon. —Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 9 Jan. 2025

One of Deadline’s Ones to Watch ahead of Cannes, von Horn was also anointed a Director to Watch by the Palm Springs International Film Festival. —Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 8 Jan. 2025

Others in his position might have anointed the quarterback a team captain to earn applause from fans, regardless of whether the player had yet to demonstrate team-leader attributes on the pro level. —Ben Standig, The Athletic, 27 Dec. 2024

Instead, her transition is framed as an absolution, used as a tool for deception, and made to be the reason for her redemption and saint-like anointing at the end. —Samantha Allen, Them, 3 Jan. 2025

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