as in smeared
to rub an oily or sticky substance over
anoint the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Recent Examples of anointed
Laws, churches, and IKEA were all anointed.
—
Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
In June 2022, Forbes anointed golf star Tiger Woods a billionaire, owing his impressive status to his various championship wins and numerous endorsements, including Gatorade and Nike.
—Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
As a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ, King understood that the spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he was anointed to deal with the problems of the poor.
—Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
What was once dismissed as merely pop could now be anointed as art.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
But this view illustrates exactly why he’s expected to be anointed a superstar in Milan.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Since his buzzy arrival, D’Angelo had been anointed rhythm and blues’ golden child, destined to sit at the same table with the likes of soul giants Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, and Al Green.
—Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Essential in this map were, from the start, the Armed Forces, a sector with which Maduro had little relationship before being anointed by Chávez.
—Inés Capdevila, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025
One Battle’s front-runner status came from the top down, its greatness anointed by critics and tastemakers before the general audience could see it.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Colton Valentine, New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2026
In June 2022, Forbes anointed golf star Tiger Woods a billionaire, owing his impressive status to his various championship wins and numerous endorsements, including Gatorade and Nike.
—Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 18 Jan. 2026
As a preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ, King understood that the spirit of the Lord was upon him, and he was anointed to deal with the problems of the poor.
—Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2026
What was once dismissed as merely pop could now be anointed as art.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 15 Jan. 2026
But this view illustrates exactly why he’s expected to be anointed a superstar in Milan.
—Marcus Thompson Ii, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Since his buzzy arrival, D’Angelo had been anointed rhythm and blues’ golden child, destined to sit at the same table with the likes of soul giants Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, and Al Green.
—Keith Murphy, VIBE.com, 12 Dec. 2025
Essential in this map were, from the start, the Armed Forces, a sector with which Maduro had little relationship before being anointed by Chávez.
—Inés Capdevila, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025
One Battle’s front-runner status came from the top down, its greatness anointed by critics and tastemakers before the general audience could see it.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anointed
Verb
-
Tears and lemonade are spilled; mud and cake get smeared into the rug; confetti balloons are popped one by one, showering elated children in rainbow-paper flakes.—
Elizabeth Bruenig,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
-
His nose is smeared with a white strip of sun cream.—
Molly Aitken,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In solidarity, Celta’s players and fans painted their nails en masse for a subsequent clash with Rayo Vallecano.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Her nails, too, were on-theme, filed into a square shape and painted with a true, glossy onyx black shade.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Fresh white paint coated the bricks of what was once a small red-brick church where Qualls met his first wife.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Stir in Greek seasoning, thyme, and 1 teaspoon of the garlic powder; cook, stirring constantly, until beef is coated and fragrant, about 1 minute.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anointed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anointed. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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