1
as in plain
free from added matter
There is a big difference between pure maple syrup and pancake syrup made with other ingredients. the solution must be kept pure for the experiment to work
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in immaculate
free from any trace of the coarse or indecent
the humor in the movie is as pure and wholesome as any parent could wish
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in innocent
free from sin
in one beatitude those who are pure in heart are promised the sight of God
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
that story is pure nonsense
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 pure
Expect that particular blend of confident, meticulous, and charismatic service that’s found in its purest form in old Sicilian restaurants, and the most divine selection of puddings and gelato for a sweet-toothed finale.
—
Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026
And everyone is forced to compete with pure digital players like Amazon, Netflix and YouTube, who are amassing their own sets of sports rights.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 12 Jan. 2026
The actor's look was pure Old Hollywood glamour—down to the Marcel waved bob and red lip—but her manicure added a modern edge.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
On the opposite flank, as has been the case since the Xavi Hernandez era, Alejandro Balde is charged with permanently becoming an extra attacker and is almost a pure overlapper.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pure
Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026
And everyone is forced to compete with pure digital players like Amazon, Netflix and YouTube, who are amassing their own sets of sports rights.
—Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 12 Jan. 2026
The actor's look was pure Old Hollywood glamour—down to the Marcel waved bob and red lip—but her manicure added a modern edge.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 12 Jan. 2026
On the opposite flank, as has been the case since the Xavi Hernandez era, Alejandro Balde is charged with permanently becoming an extra attacker and is almost a pure overlapper.
—Michael Cox, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pure
Adjective
-
Look for urea-free fertilizer that helps the plant absorb nitrogen more efficiently, and make sure to flush out the potting medium with plain water each month to prevent salt buildup that can harm the roots.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The goats prefer their trees plain.—
Noel Brennan,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Inland, the immaculate padel and tennis courts are always alive with the thwack of fierce competition.—
Jemima Sissons,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The cast, including Emmy winners Noah Wyle and Katherine LaNasa, is immaculate and magnetic.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Earlier this year, two innocent people were stabbed to death on 16th Street in Denver by an individual who had previously been deemed incompetent and released — one tragic example highlighting gaps in the current system.—
Mike Johnston,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
-
This can include firing at an oncoming vehicle or even a fleeing vehicle if there is a credible assessment that failure to do so will result in the imminent death of police personnel or innocent bystanders.—
Laurence Miller,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Rhode founder stunned in a sheer black mesh teddy with a G-string thong design and an ab-baring cutout made out of straps.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
7 Jan. 2026
-
But the department has argued the sheer volume of documents that need to be found, uploaded, reviewed, redacted and published has forced it to instead release the files online on a rolling basis, with a series of enormous document dumps over the course of several days in mid-December.—
Joe Walsh,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Coogan and Hays met in 2023 through their mutual friend, the extremely online health care start-up founder Will Manidis, and quickly bonded over their unadulterated love of capitalism.—
Julia Black,
Vanity Fair,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Actual, unadulterated cornmeal.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
15 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
The best time to prune chaste tree is in late winter.—
Rita Pelczar,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Dec. 2025
-
Chihiro and Hiruhiko were engaging in the sort of passionate but chaste dude-bro melodrama that takes place only in shōnen manga.—
Matt Alt,
New Yorker,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
People often make the mistake of going with a bright white paint color to balance out a room’s cool feel and muted light, but opting for a warm neutral is more effective for creating an inviting space.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Snag it in black, white, green, blue, or maple or walnut wood stains in sizes ranging from 4 by 4 inches to 8 by 10 inches.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Hour of the Wolf is a far-ranging memoir about motherhood, art, family, and the way that a dog’s unconditional love can offer a rare opportunity for healing.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The state recently launched a project providing unconditional monthly checks — averaging $500 — to families who have abused or neglected their children.—
Sarah A. Font,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pure. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
