Synonyms

anointed

American

[uh-noin-tid] / əˈnɔɪn tɪd /

adjective

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

Often Anointed the person or people chosen or declared chosen by God.

David kept Abishai from killing King Saul, because it would be wicked to attack the Lord's anointed.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of anoint.

Other Word Forms

self-anointed adjective
unanointed adjective
well-anointed adjective

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.

But the 49-year-old technocrat, who had rarely appeared in the media, was catapulted to the forefront of an election campaign as the anointed successor of President Patrice Talon.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

They believe that God speaks directly to and through the NAR’s anointed apostles and prophets about current and sometimes future events.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

Reports have swirled in the media that the younger Khamenei has already been anointed by the Assembly of Experts, a grouping of some 88 senior clerics tasked with this responsibility.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

Still, what makes Bublé the new king of Christmas music, if such a title can be anointed?

From MarketWatch • Dec. 24, 2025

Meanwhile at Kirke’s hands the rest were gently bathed, anointed with sweet oil, and dressed afresh in tunics and new cloaks with fleecy linings.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023