as in anointment
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as in smearing
to rub an oily or sticky substance over
anoint the wound with antiseptic to prevent infection
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Recent Examples of anointing
Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Clair Obscur was already the favorite to win the grand prize — but kicking off the show with the game front-and-center felt like an anointing.
—James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 12 Dec. 2025
Your undeniable beauty and talent were not of this world, and a presence not of this world needs protection in a world that covets light and the anointing of God.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
The wins come on the heels of the Gotham Film Awards anointing One Battle After Another its Best Feature on Monday, and the New York Film Critics Circle doing the same Tuesday.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2025
Since Ellison’s takeover of Paramount, the company has raised eyebrows for seeming to appease conservative audiences, particularly with CBS News anointing Weiss, who forged her brand as a columnist arguing against progressive politics.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
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
Noun
The anointing of Dokoupil in mid-December may have surprised some viewers.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Clair Obscur was already the favorite to win the grand prize — but kicking off the show with the game front-and-center felt like an anointing.
—James Perkins Mastromarino, NPR, 12 Dec. 2025
Your undeniable beauty and talent were not of this world, and a presence not of this world needs protection in a world that covets light and the anointing of God.
—Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
Hot 97 has played an outsize role for decades in debuting new hits, anointing superstars, and wading into major cultural debates; Mero’s most recent predecessor in the morning-show role is Ebro Darden, who announced the end of his 20-plus-year tenure at the station in December.
—Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
The wins come on the heels of the Gotham Film Awards anointing One Battle After Another its Best Feature on Monday, and the New York Film Critics Circle doing the same Tuesday.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2025
Since Ellison’s takeover of Paramount, the company has raised eyebrows for seeming to appease conservative audiences, particularly with CBS News anointing Weiss, who forged her brand as a columnist arguing against progressive politics.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
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
Noun
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According to the Dera, Singh’s ascent to power is a story of divine anointment.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Bad Bunny’s fame was growing ever more mainstream in the years before his Super Bowl anointment.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This dedication centers Sophie and Benedict’s second meet-cute, when the two cross paths at a country house where Benedict is attending a party and where Sophie is now working, after being unable to find a position in London thanks to her stepmother smearing her reputation.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
30 Jan. 2026
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This will lead to smearing dust particles around instead of picking them up, which is where a wet cloth comes into play.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Modern Catholic teachings do not express this attitude directly, but some Catholic feminists argue that views of women’s blood pollution still influence the church’s position against women’s ordination.—
Megan Bryson,
The Conversation,
5 Feb. 2026
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At this stage of his career, Hicks will have been part of many ceremonies; ordination as a deacon and then a priest, consecration as an auxiliary bishop and installation as bishop in Joliet, Illinois.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Low Commitment For those looking to dip their toe into a new color trend, Kelly advises painting a vanity, using a new tile in a niche or backsplash, or simply playing with color through accessories and textiles.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Feb. 2026
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Ceilings Often affectionately referred to as the 'fifth wall' of a room, painting a ceiling is one of the top tips designers recommend for making a room feel bigger.—
Nishaa Sharma,
The Spruce,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Saudi Arabia’s goal to build a local defense industry is making progress but needs to overcome constraints on investment, talent, and technology, according to a report by think tank Azure Strategy.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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But the recent volatility has made some analysts wonder if gold still has the same luster as an investment.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This practice of coating paper with wax dates back through the 19th century, as a way to keep moisture and odors out of different food items.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
9 Feb. 2026
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The sun comes out, coating the top layer of the icy snow with water, and suddenly, the track is a half-second faster.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Russell's most famous photograph, from The Outlaw, lying in hay with her blouse draped off her shoulder, sultry and dangerous; the family surrounding Waterfield's bust at his Hall of Fame induction.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
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Appliances and hardware include a dual-burner induction cooktop, full interior heating and A/C, 88-L compressor fridge, and 189-L fresh water tank.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Additional improvements will be new paths along Randall Road, storm sewer installation, traffic signal modifications, intersection lighting, roadway resurfacing and landscape restoration.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
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On macOS, a one-time manual installation is required to enable the extended screens.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anointing. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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