anoints

Applies sacred oil

Anoints is the third-person singular of anoint, meaning to apply oil or another substance to someone ceremonially, especially in religious rituals conferring sacred status: The priest anoints the infant's forehead.

By extension, to anoint someone is to designate them as chosen or favored: The party anoints its candidate long before the primary.

consecrates

blesses

Consecrates or sanctifies

ordains · purifies · enshrines · canonizes · solemnizes · devotes · commits · glorifies · exalts · venerates

appoints

designates

Formally names or assigns

empowers · authorizes · endorses · crowns · enthrones · elevates · promotes · installs · invests · commissions

ritual

ceremony

Formal event marking occasions

liturgy · vestments · priesthood · worship · service · tradition · dedication · pilgrimage · incense · chalice

healing

salves

Medicated skin ointments

emollients · unguents · medicates · soothes · treats · applies · rubs · massages · moisturizes · lubricates

Opposites
sacred designation

anointsdesecrates

Violates something sacred

defiles · curses · profanes · damns · excommunicates

selection for leadership/succession

anointsdeposes

Removes from authority

rejects · dethrones · dismisses · removes · overthrows

ritual application of substance

anointscleanses

Frees from dirt

wipes off · strips · scrubs · dries · decontaminates

Phrases
Family

anoint, anointed, anointing, anointment

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G