purge

verb \ ˈpərj \

|Updated on: 10 Jul 2018

Examples: purge in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of purge

purged; purging

transitive verb

1 a : to clear of guilt

b : to free from moral or ceremonial defilement

2 a : 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

—

purger

noun

See purge defined for English-language learners

See purge defined for kids

Examples of purge in a Sentence

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 of purge from the Web

The decision makes Wilder the latest target of efforts to purge from the cultural landscape symbols that honor historical figures who owned slaves, espoused racist views or engaged in racist practices.

— meagan flynn, chicagotribune.com, "Laura Ingalls Wilder's name stripped from children's book award over 'Little House' depictions of Native Americans," 26 June 2018
Wilder is the latest target of efforts to purge symbols that honor historical figures who owned slaves, espoused racist views or engaged in racist practices.

— meagan flynn, The Seattle Times, "Laura Ingalls Wilder’s name stripped from book award over ‘Little House’ depictions of Native Americans," 25 June 2018
The decision makes Wilder the latest target of efforts to purge from the cultural landscape symbols that honor historical figures who owned slaves, espoused racist views or engaged in racist practices.

— meagan flynn, Anchorage Daily News, "Laura Ingalls Wilder's name stripped from children's book award over 'Little House' depictions of Native Americans," 25 June 2018
The missives mark an escalation in the bipartisan effort to purge the Chinese telecom companies from doing business with the United States, showing that lawmakers are willing to reach beyond legislation to make that happen.

— derek hawkins, Washington Post, "The Cybersecurity 202: GOP lawmakers want U.S. businesses to get out of business with Chinese telecom companies," 22 June 2018
In 2014, Idaho officials incorrectly purged more than 750 voters from the electoral rolls based on faulty Crosscheck data.

— marc daalder, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan uses controversial voter registration check," 12 June 2018
As the Trump administration ramps up its efforts to purge the U.S. of immigrants, both documented and undocumented, Border Patrol plays an increasingly important and aggressive role.

— luke darby, GQ, "Border Patrol Stopped U.S. Citizens for Speaking Spanish in Montana," 21 May 2018
The measures were meant to create a buffer zone as part of Egypt's efforts to purge northeastern Sinai of Islamic militants following the 2014 Islamic State group bombings that left dozens of soldiers dead.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "In humanitarian gesture, Egypt keeps Rafah crossing open through Ramadan," 18 May 2018
The records Sloane kept also could have easily been purged as well.

— bethany barnes, OregonLive.com, "Investigators say Portland teacher contract endangers children," 11 May 2018

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.

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.

Origin and Etymology of purge

Middle English, from Anglo-French purger, from Latin purigare, purgare to purify, purge, from purus pure + -igare (akin to agere to drive, do) — more at act

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

purge Synonyms

purge

noun

Definition of purge

1 : something that purges; especially : purgative

2 a : an act or instance of purging

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

See purge defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of purge from the Web

Some fiction books survived the physical book purge, but encyclopedias, old Courier Journal newspapers and National Geographic magazines are gone.

— zahria rogers, The Courier-Journal, "St. Xavier High School submits plans for $6 million library renovation," 3 July 2018
Oberg isn’t the only victim deprived of justice because of the purge.

— ashley luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A killer left DNA evidence behind. But Milwaukee police destroyed it.," 22 June 2018
While the distinction between an internal cap and a budget can be minimal, Viola rebutted the notion that an internal cap mandated last summer’s purge of Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith during Vegas’ expansion draft.

— matthew defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "As Panthers bleed millions annually, Vinnie Viola aims to be 'a very competitive, non-cap team'," 19 June 2018
If other states adopt Ohio’s Supplemental Process, our analysis suggests, millions of registered U.S. voters who are like Harmon will be exposed to a purge.

— michael c. herron, Washington Post, "If more states start using Ohio’s system, how many voters will be purged?," 17 June 2018
Prompting this new mindset was a purge of two expensive — and, at times, unproductive — contracts on the defensive line.

— lorenzo reyes, USA TODAY, "Sam Darnold getting the buzz, but young defense may be Jets' best bet for success in 2018," 9 June 2018
Within days of the Trump administration assuming power, there were these mass purges of our career officials.

— recode staff, Recode, "Full transcript: Journalist Ronan Farrow on Recode Decode," 4 May 2018
Thankfully, this Instagram purge seems to be temporary.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "Blake Lively Returns to Instagram With 'A Simple Favor' First Look," 2 May 2018
The election was preceded by a purge of would-be opposing candidates, unprecedented even under Mubarak's nearly 30-year rule.

— hamza hendawi, Fox News, "Egypt election sacrifices democracy for stability," 20 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of purge

1593

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

PURGE Defined for English Language Learners

purge

verb

Definition of purge for English Language Learners

: to remove people from an area, country, organization, etc., often in a violent and sudden way
: to cause something to leave the body

purge

noun

Definition of purge for English Language Learners

: the often violent and sudden removal of people from an area, country, organization, etc.

PURGE Defined for Kids

purge

verb \ ˈpərj \

Definition of purge for Students

purged; purging

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, Chamber of Secrets

purge

noun

Definition of purge for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

purge

verb \ ˈpərj \

medical Definition of purge

purged; purging

transitive verb

1 : to cause evacuation from (as the bowels) or of or from the bowels of

drugs that purge the bowels

purged the patient with a cathartic

2 : to free (itself) of suspended matter usually by sedimentation —used of a liquid

intransitive verb

1 : to become purged

2 : to have or produce frequent evacuations

3 : to cause purgation

purge

noun

medical Definition of purge

1 : something that purges; especially : purgative

2 : an act or instance of purging

Law Dictionary

purge

transitive verb \ ˈpərj \

legal Definition of purge

purged; purging

1 : to clear (as oneself or another) of guilt

purged himself of contempt

2 : to become no longer guilty of

purge the contempt

Learn More about purge

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for purge Spanish Central: Translation of purge Nglish: Translation of purge for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of purge for Arabic speakers

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purge

Definition of purge

purger

Examples of purge in a Sentence

Recent Examples of purge from the Web

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Origin and Etymology of purge

purge Synonyms

Synonyms

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purge

Definition of purge

Recent Examples of purge from the Web

First Known Use of purge

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PURGE Defined for English Language Learners

purge

Definition of purge for English Language Learners

purge

Definition of purge for English Language Learners

PURGE Defined for Kids

purge

Definition of purge for Students

purge

Definition of purge for Students

Medical Dictionary

purge

medical Definition of purge

purge

medical Definition of purge

Law Dictionary

purge

legal Definition of purge

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