Entry Word: purify

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially <Catholics go to confession to be purified>

Synonyms cleanse, purge, sanctify

Related Words amend, improve, refine; heal, regenerate, restore; elevate, ennoble, uplift; absolve, acquit, clear, exonerate, vindicate

Near Antonyms corrupt, debase, debauch, defile, degrade, demean, deprave, pervert, stain, warp; poison, profane, prostitute; sully, tarnish

2 to remove usually visible impurities from <purify the water by distillation> — see clarify 1