purge

verb

ˈpərj How to pronounce purge (audio)
Definition of purgenext
as in to restore
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially a day on which the faithful are expected to purge themselves of their sins through prayer and fasting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of purge Each transfer Willard added was meant to purge the program of that aesthetic nightmare. — Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 20 Mar. 2025 Last week, the New York Times published a list of words being purged across agencies under Trump. — Sheila Callaham, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025 The cuts come amid the Trump administration's push to purge federal spending. — Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025 First, take over military and intelligence operations by purging career officers and substituting ones personally loyal to you. — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for purge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purge
  1. restore
  2. cleanse
  3. purify
  4. heal
Verb
  • Among the Trump administration’s demands on Columbia University in return for restoring $400 million in funding was a ban on masks, which many peaceful protesters wear not to menace others but to avoid being identified by facial recognition.
    — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
  • These habits can restore mitochondrial function and even reverse the course of some psychiatric conditions.
    — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Definition of restore
Verb
  • There have been five mass extinctions on this planet, where almost all life was eradicated, its occupiers cleansed from this place.
    — Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 30 Mar. 2025
  • This ritual is meant to cleanse the home of chametz (food and drink containing yeast or baking powder) to remind Jews of the flat loaves the ancient Jews baked in the sun for their hasty escape.
    — Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 27 Mar. 2025
Definition of cleanse
Verb
  • Leading the way in the march, Aztec dancers purified the air with incense made by burning the resin of the copal trees.
    — Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 30 Mar. 2025
  • Families often deep-clean homes to purify them during this time.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of purify
Verb
  • The day kicked off with a sound healing meditation, followed by songwriting sessions with Isadora Figueroa, Shirel, RPLK, Aris, Nicole Horbath, MJ Nebreda, Nancy Sánchez, Renee, Ella Bric, Maia and Drea.
    — Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The superdog drags our hero to his Fortress of Solitude, where his robot caretakers get to work healing him with the power of Earth's yellow sun.
    — Mike Miller, EW.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of heal

Browse Nearby Words

purgatory
purge
purged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Purge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purge. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on purge

Nglish: Translation of purge for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things
See More

Popular

See More

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

What do SCOTUS, POTUS, and FLOTUS mean?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
kestrel
Name That Bird Quiz Are you as wise as an owl or just another birdbrain?
See All