anointed
Americanadjective
-
consecrated or made sacred; dedicated to God, often in a ceremony that includes dabbing or sprinkling with holy oil.
In the Bible, the anointed High Priest was chosen from among the descendants of Aaron.
From the highest patriarch to the youngest baptized and anointed infant, communion was received by all at the Orthodox church.
-
chosen by or as if by divine authority; chosen for a sacred, high, or special vocation or purpose.
Stalin left no anointed successor, nor any framework for the orderly transfer of power.
-
Christianity. empowered or made effective for God’s purposes by the special activity of the Holy Spirit.
This is one of the most anointed websites I’ve ever visited—I was so encouraged by the devotional there.
-
rubbed or sprinkled with oil, ointment, or other oil-based mixture.
Pausing in the kitchen with the turkey, I heard ripples of anticipation as guests awaited the anointed bird and its accouterments.
-
sprinkled or smeared with any liquid (often used in combination).
The Pilsner on tap was a lovely light beer that paired nicely with lemon-juice-anointed oysters.
noun
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of anointed
First recorded in 1375–1425; anoint ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. ) for the adjective and noun senses; anoint ( def. ) + -ed 1 ( def. ) for the verb sense
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
According to Licence, this interpretation could help resolve a longstanding historical puzzle: why would a pope support the violent removal of an anointed king?
From Science Daily ● Aug. 11, 2026
Thatcher, his latest anointed icon, fares no better than a butterfly pinned to his mood board.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
In the course of a whirlwind four weeks, every wing of the parliamentary Labour Party has anointed him as the only person able to reverse their electoral predicament.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
Valdes was anointed a "hero of the Republic" for his part in the revolution.
From Barron's ● Jun. 21, 2026
It isn’t likely I’d get in trouble if the city’s anointed warriors caught me, but they’d almost certainly make me turn back, and I don’t want to.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
