anoint

Meaning

1. To smear or rub over with oil or an unctuous substance; also, to spread over, as oil.
2. To apply oil to or to pour oil upon, etc., as a sacred rite, especially for consecration.
3. To choose or nominate somebody for a leading or otherwise important position, especially formally or officially, or as an intended successor.
4. To mark somebody as an official ruler, especially a king or queen, as a part of a religious ceremony.

Synonyms

smear

apply

grease

besmear

oil

spread

paint

rub

rub on

consecrate

daub

spread out

anele

bathe

inunct

stretch out

suffuse

enlarge

unfold

unfurl

unroll

reach

expand

extend

embrocate

dilute

dedicate

increase

layout

augment

adulterate

aggrandize

cover

magnify

spread-eagle

coat

🧥

step up

stretch

scrub

anoint with

bedaub

brush

burnish

butter

🧈

butter up

caress

confirm

cream

fondle

lay out

lube

lubricate

medicate

overlay

parade

plaster

polish

🇵🇱

salve

scour

administer

smooth

tinge

annoint

lay something out flat

place on sale

spread over

stroke

smear with oil

make auspicious marking

spread with

smear over

anoint the head

oil the hair

Pronounced as (IPA)

/əˈnɔɪnt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: enointen

In summary

From Middle English enointen, anointen, borrowed from Old French enoint, past participle of enoindre (“to anoint”). Doublet of inunct.