unction
/ˈʌŋkʃən/
noun
- The act of anointing someone with oil, especially as a religious ceremony.
- In ancient times, unction was used to consecrate kings and priests.
- The ritual of unction is still practiced in some churches today.
- The priest performed the unction with holy oil during the baptism.
- Excessive or insincere earnestness, especially in speech or manner; smugness.
- The politician's unction was so thick that voters found it hard to trust him.
- She spoke with an unction that felt more like performance than genuine feeling.
- His unction during the apology made everyone doubt his sincerity.
Synonyms