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 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 Many may withhold their votes in November, anointing the despicable Trump. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2024 The two organizations don't share crossover membership, but the Critics Choice Awards regularly anoint (mostly) the same winners and nominees each year. Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2023 The winner will be anointed football’s best team and lift the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy aloft as the confetti rains down. Ben Morse, CNN, 10 Feb. 2024 Robbie and her partners (including husband Tom Ackerley) asked for a meeting with Mattel, eager to convince its executives to anoint them as the team to finally bring Barbie to the big screen. Seija Rankin, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Jan. 2024 For decades, the magazine’s photographers, writers and editors held the power to anoint stars and deliver the definitive account of the biggest moments in sports, often with just a single photograph and a few words on the cover. Benjamin Mullin, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2024 For 2016’s Beasts of No Nation, Idris Elba is now the only SAG winner in history yet to be anointed by the Academy. Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 23 Jan. 2024 Kings and queens were still anointed (but no longer crowned) until 1849 when the switch was made to a constitutional monarchy. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 14 Jan. 2024 The state wrote that the spiritual adviser would be able to enter the execution chamber before the mask was placed on Smith's face to pray with him and anoint him with oil. CBS News, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'anoint.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near anoint

Cite this Entry

“Anoint.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anoint. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

anoint

verb
1
: to rub over with oil or an oily substance
2
: to put oil on as part of a religious ceremony
anointer noun
anointment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on anoint

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