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.

In December, he anointed Flavio -- a Rio de Janeiro senator -- as his political heir.

From Barron's • Mar. 1, 2026

The international lists anointed Greece and Boquete, Panama, a small community with a large expat population.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 4, 2026

Putin has since anointed him “special presidential envoy on economic and investment cooperation with foreign countries.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 20, 2025

Brook has been anointed as the next England captain, but is currently batting like a man who couldn't be trusted to skipper a pedalo.

From BBC • Dec. 4, 2025

There the Graces bathed and anointed her with golden oil—a bloom that clings upon immortal flesh alone—and let her folds of mantle fall in glory.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer

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