as in smearing
to rub an oily or sticky substance over
anoint the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection
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as in anointment
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Recent Examples of anointing
Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Already, awards prognosticators are anointing it a possible Oscar player in several major categories.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
Fittingly, or desperately depending on your vantage point, Jones’ campaign from three years ago was the only tangible evidence Steichen could lean on while anointing him the starter over Richardson.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
The team reached an extension agreement with rookie Roman Anthony, anointing him as their outfielder of the future with an eight-year deal.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
Prosecutors said that instead of seeking medical treatment when their two-day-old son, Hayden, stopped eating and began to turn pale blue, Blair, 37, and Taylor, 32, relied on praying over their son’s body and anointing him with olive oil.
—Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
Already, awards prognosticators are anointing it a possible Oscar player in several major categories.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Sep. 2025
Fittingly, or desperately depending on your vantage point, Jones’ campaign from three years ago was the only tangible evidence Steichen could lean on while anointing him the starter over Richardson.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
The team reached an extension agreement with rookie Roman Anthony, anointing him as their outfielder of the future with an eight-year deal.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anointing
Verb
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Three Bulgarians were suspected of painting red hands on Paris’ Holocaust Memorial in May 2024, with the Paris prosecutor suggesting Russia was behind the crime.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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Following his return from Iraq for his second deployment, while living in California, Villareal got into painting motorcycles.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The ordination Mass was powerful.—
Kristine Tran,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Aug. 2025
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His grandfather, Rabbi Alexander Shapiro, served as president of the Rabbinical Assembly in the 1980s and was instrumental in the decision to allow the ordination of women.—
Asaf Elia-Shalev,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Aug. 2025
Verb
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These lengthening formulas prioritize coating each lash sleekly, with no bumps or lumps of product.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
5 Sep. 2025
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There is little sugar-coating how Swayman’s season went last year.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
4 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But patience – trusting that small investments of time and effort compound – got us through.—
Allen Buchanan,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
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Conversely, if rates rise sharply, Buffett can earn more on cash and bonds while waiting, raising the bar for equity investments.—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Hilton, meanwhile, was thrilled that several of his former FIU teammates turned out for his Hall of Fame induction ceremony, including quarterback Paul McCall; running back Darian Mallary; and wide receivers Wayne Times and Jason Frierson.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
15 Sep. 2025
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This is well-stocked for a tiny house of its size and has a sink, a small dishwasher, an induction cooktop, a fridge/freezer a microwave, and an oven.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Ukraine has fought back with its own drone forces in strikes such as Operation Spider Web in June, when Ukrainian drones entered deep into Russia and struck vital military installations in their enemy’s heartland.—
Joseph Nepomuceno,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Sep. 2025
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While history is ever present throughout, the Freedom Tower’s installations are created to appeal to 21st century visitors, many through interactive exhibitions, digital content and detailed re-creations.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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However, recent installments have failed to live up to the hype.—
Kelsie Gibson,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
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This is an installment of The Nightcrawler, a weekly collection of thought-provoking articles on tech, innovation, and long-term investing by Eric Markowitz of Nightview Capital.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The King hosted an investiture ceremony for Manfred Goldberg, honoring him for his Holocaust education efforts.—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
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My family came to Washington for my investiture ceremony.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anointing. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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