purge

verb

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\ ˈpərj

purged; purging

Definition of purge

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to clear of guilt

b : to free from moral or ceremonial defilement

2a : to cause evacuation from purge the bowels

b(1) : to make free of something unwanted purge a manhole of gas purge yourself of fear

(2) : to free (something, such as a boiler) of sediment or relieve (something, such as a steam pipe) of trapped air by bleeding

c(1) : to rid (a nation, a political party, etc.) by a purge

(2) : to get rid of the leaders had been purged

intransitive verb

1 : to become purged

2 : to have or produce frequent evacuations

3 : to cause purgation

purge

noun

Definition of purge (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : something that purges especially : purgative

2a : an act or instance of purging

b : the removal of elements or members regarded as undesirable and especially as treacherous or disloyal

Other Words from purge Synonyms Did you know? More Example Sentences Phrases Containing purge Learn More About purge

Did you know?

In some cultures, a ritual bath or prayer is performed to purge guilt or evil spirits. The Minoans of ancient Crete may have used human sacrifice as a way of purging the entire community, which is fine for the community but rough on the victims. In many cultures, people periodically purge themselves physically—that is, clean out their digestive tracts—by taking strong laxatives; this used to be a popular springtime ritual, and herbal purgatives were readily available.

Examples of purge in a Sentence

Verb High-ranking officials were purged from the company following the merger. a day on which the faithful are expected to purge themselves of their sins through prayer and fasting

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Deep sleep may also allow people to purge toxins from their brains – and reduce the harmful deposits of an abnormal protein, amyloid. — Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 3 May 2022 When the invasion began, in February, Russian publishers were ordered to purge mentions of Ukraine from textbooks. — Timothy Snyder, The New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2022 Barkeepers have renamed classic cocktails to purge any commemorative or festive reference to Russia from the premises. — Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2022 They're known to eat tough leaves and bitter plants to purge parasites from their guts. — Christopher Intagliata, Scientific American, 8 Mar. 2022 Would proof-of-citizenship bill really purge 200K voters? — Lindsey Botts, The Arizona Republic, 31 Mar. 2022 Would proof-of-citizenship bill really purge 200K voters? — Stacey Barchenger, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2022 First, smear the Democratic Party as being soft on communism, and second, purge anyone with lefty opinions on race, gender, homosexuality, foreign policy, or economic equality from public life — especially women. — Ryan Cooper, The Week, 29 June 2021 Assisted by Barker, his drummer/spirit guide, Kelly makes an evolving, not-very-joyful noise that nods to his old noise and inspires him to purge. — Charles Aaron, Rolling Stone, 28 Mar. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun This closet purge turned into a deeply nostalgic walk (of shame) down memory lane. — Vogue, 4 May 2022 Jay Garrick had been the Flash during the Golden Age, but his comics were canceled amid that postwar purge. — Christian Holub, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2022 Not after another salary purge since the 2020 run, this time Tucker Barnhart and Wade Miley, with Nick Castellanos sure to follow. — Mike Bass, The Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2022 The news that McGowan was leaving was greeted by most as a sign that there a franchise-wide purge was beginning. — oregonlive, 12 Nov. 2021 The Polish government’s early accommodation of former communists (as a stabilizing move) turned into a purge, with a petty targeting of pensioners in the intelligence community. — Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2021 After a year, Mao reversed course and launched a massive purge called the Anti-Rightist Campaign. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2021 Consuelos' world might be ending but his closet purge might have its upsides according to Ripa. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, 7 Apr. 2022 Berman was appointed as interim U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York in 2018 by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions following a purge of federal prosecutors in the early days of the Trump administration. — Kevin Johnson, USA TODAY, 8 June 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'purge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About purge

Dictionary Entries Near purge

purgatory hammer

purge

purgeable

Statistics for purge

Last Updated

6 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Purge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purge. Accessed 16 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for purge

purge

verb

\ ˈpərj

purged; purging

Kids Definition of purge

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : to get rid of Ineffective workers were purged from the company.

2 : to rid of unwanted things or people The heir alone would be able to … purge the school of all who were unworthy to study magic.— J. K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

purge

noun

Kids Definition of purge (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : an act or instance of ridding of what is unwanted

2 : the removal of members thought to be treacherous or disloyal a purge of party leaders

purge

verb

\ ˈpərj

purged; purging