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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The magazine anointed her the most popular actress of the year. anoint the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection
Recent Examples on the Web When Frieze alights in Seoul this month for the first time, the hip international art fair’s imprimatur will officially anoint the buzzy Asian city as the next great global art center. 
Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2022 Still, manager Bud Black has retained enough faith in Davis to anoint him the 2020 closer. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2020 This summer has been a case in point: Bayern Munich has managed to alienate the almost-34-year-old Robert Lewandowski by (unsuccessfully) trying to anoint Erling Haaland, a decade his junior, as his heir. New York Times, 14 July 2022 Some have opted to anoint him as the father of logic, the father of rhetoric, the father of realism, etc., and acknowledge his influence in a wide variety of domains and disciplines. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 June 2022 Klitschko's athletic history and dedication to protecting his people prompted ESPN to anoint him the 2022 Arthur Ashe Courage Award winner, the company announced Tuesday. Lance Pugmire, USA TODAY, 14 June 2022 The Moscow Patriarchate has sought to anoint itself the true seat of Orthodoxy ever since Constantinople, now Istanbul, fell to Islamic invaders in 1453. New York Times, 18 Apr. 2022 That elite defensive performance has led Las Vegas odds-makers to anoint Georgia a 21.5-point favorite versus the first Kentucky team to win its first six games of the season since 1950. Jon Hale, The Courier-Journal, 15 Oct. 2021 Burmese people also believe that washing their hair with tayaw kinbun will get rid of bad luck and anoint them with dignified blessings. Jada Jackson, Allure, 5 Apr. 2022 See More
Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2022 Still, manager Bud Black has retained enough faith in Davis to anoint him the 2020 closer. Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2020 This summer has been a case in point: Bayern Munich has managed to alienate the almost-34-year-old Robert Lewandowski by (unsuccessfully) trying to anoint Erling Haaland, a decade his junior, as his heir. New York Times, 14 July 2022 Some have opted to anoint him as the father of logic, the father of rhetoric, the father of realism, etc., and acknowledge his influence in a wide variety of domains and disciplines. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 21 June 2022 Klitschko's athletic history and dedication to protecting his people prompted ESPN to anoint him the 2022 Arthur Ashe Courage Award winner, the company announced Tuesday. Lance Pugmire, USA TODAY, 14 June 2022 The Moscow Patriarchate has sought to anoint itself the true seat of Orthodoxy ever since Constantinople, now Istanbul, fell to Islamic invaders in 1453. New York Times, 18 Apr. 2022 That elite defensive performance has led Las Vegas odds-makers to anoint Georgia a 21.5-point favorite versus the first Kentucky team to win its first six games of the season since 1950. Jon Hale, The Courier-Journal, 15 Oct. 2021 Burmese people also believe that washing their hair with tayaw kinbun will get rid of bad luck and anoint them with dignified blessings. Jada Jackson, Allure, 5 Apr. 2022 See More 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
anointed; anointing
1
: to rub or cover with oil or grease
2
: to put oil on as part of a religious ceremony
anointment
noun
as in anointing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- anointing
- investiture
- induction
- ordination
- investment
- installation
- installment
- placement
- election
- delegation
- nomination
- emplacement
- instating
- authorization
- ranking
- instalment
- picking
- choosing
- deputation
- destination
- office
- selection
- choice
- position
- situation
- designation
- appointment
- job
- gig
- spot
- station
- billet
- commission
- singling (out)
- place
- assignment
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dismissal
- expulsion
- firing
- discharge
- removal
- rejection
- deposition
- ouster
- dismission
- overthrow
- ejection
- dethronement
- eviction
- blackball