Meaning & use
unction
The religious act of anointing someone with oil as a sign of blessing or healing.
See it in a sentence
The priest performed the rite of unction for the dying man, anointing his forehead with oil.
In some churches, unction is offered to the sick as a source of comfort and grace.
A note on using this word
Unction also has a figurative sense, describing exaggerated, ingratiating smoothness in someone's speech or manner.
Words with a similar meaning
anointing
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. noun
An exaggerated, ingratiating smoothness or earnestness in speech or manner.
The salesman spoke with an oily unction that made the customers uneasy.
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