purify

verb

pu·ri·fy | \ˈpyu̇r-ə-ˌfī

purified; purifying

Definition of purify

transitive verb

: to make pure: such as

a : to clear from material defilement or imperfection

b : to free from guilt or moral or ceremonial blemish

c : to free from undesirable elements

intransitive verb

: to grow or become pure or clean

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Examples of purify in a Sentence

We purified the water by boiling it. You can purify the air with a filtration system. a bottle of purified water She believed she could purify herself through constant prayer.

Recent Examples on the Web

This is why some critical drugs still have to be purified from biological sources. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "AI plus a chemistry robot finds all the reactions that will work," 18 July 2018 The police will resolutely crack down on such behaviors that challenge the legal bottom line or public order and good social morals, in order to purify the Internet’s public sphere. — Gerry Shih, The Seattle Times, "Chinese online star detained for 5 days after singing the national anthem badly," 15 Oct. 2018 Companies that sell the gas acquire it from ammonia plants before cleaning and purifying it. — Amie Tsang, New York Times, "U.K. Fears for Its Beer and Crumpets. Blame a Carbon Dioxide Shortage.," 29 June 2018 Lemon, peppermint, and rosemary oils are also known to purify and energize. — Alyssa Nassner, Curbed, "Cleansing 101: Keeping your home’s energy in check," 17 Oct. 2018 It's got daytime and night time modes that can dim its LED displays and purify at the quietest settings. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "Today's Best Deals: Things Won't Break in a Pelican Case," 30 Apr. 2018 Vitamin A, green tea, kaolin clay, and lavender oil make this mask super revitalizing and help purify and plump stressed, dehydrated skin. — Bella Gerard, Health.com, "These Are the 13 Products You Need to Snag From Dermstore’s Winter Essentials Sale," 16 Jan. 2018 The candidates also offered differing views on a sewage pipeline through the area that the City Council recently approved as part of Pure Water, a plan to boost San Diego’s water independence by purifying sewage into drinking water. — David Garrick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Council candidates clash on vacation rentals, coastal height limit," 4 May 2018 Preppers are ready to purify water to drink, hunt and butcher for meals, and scare off anyone who tries to get a piece of their post-apocalyptic bliss, possibly via gunfire. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "What exactly are “preppers” prepping for?," 25 May 2018

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