PURE Synonyms: 227 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'pure' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of pure are chaste , decent , and modest . While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions. // the pure of heart

Q: In what contexts can 'chaste' take the place of 'pure'?

Although the words chaste and pure have much in common, chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows. // they maintained chaste relations

Q: How are the words 'modest' and 'decent' related as synonyms of 'pure'?

Both modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity. // preferred more modest swimsuits // decent people didn't go to such movies

pure

adjective

ˈpyu̇r

Definition of pure

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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as in innocent

free from sin in one beatitude those who are pure in heart are promised the sight of God

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as in sheer

having no exceptions or restrictions that story is pure nonsense

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How is the word pure distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of pure are chaste, decent, and modest. While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions.

the pure of heart

In what contexts can chaste take the place of pure?

Although the words chaste and pure have much in common, chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows.

they maintained chaste relations

How are the words modest and decent related as synonyms of pure?

Both modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity.

preferred more modest swimsuits

decent people didn't go to such movies

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 At the core of the siblings’ relationship, there’s a love that’s still clean and pure. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 1 Oct. 2026 But the actual topology, the pure math part that goes into topological data analysis, is at this point relatively old in terms of just literally the pure math component of it. — Quanta Magazine, 1 Oct. 2026 Other models had Tom Ford’s version of pure and natural makeup. — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2026 In a soluble protein, all of the pure hydrocarbon side chains end up packed into the center, while the acids, bases, and hydroxyl-containing side chains face the water. — ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pure

Adjective

The mat is a plastic sheet that is rather discreet and easily blends in with plain white floors.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026
The elegiac poems in The Man with Night Sweats are sharper, plainer, starker than Gunn’s early formal poems.

— Colm Tóibín, Literary Hub, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of plain

Adjective

His homemaker mother Leonor (a superb Maude Sandham) and his 17-year-old sister Ilse (Karoline Watson) complete the immaculate family portrait, but there’s unrest there too.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Please enjoy every pitch of Payton Tolle's immaculate inning.

— Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of immaculate

Adjective

Since then, Verity had been faking her vegetative state in order to … that part doesn’t entirely make sense, but the point is Lowen and Jeremy killed an innocent woman.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026
The suspects are innocent unless proven guilty by proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of innocent

Adjective

Known as the Shark Bay UNESCO World Heritage Site, the place gets its name from English buccaneer-cum-naturalist William Dampier, who was overcome by the bay’s sheer abundance and the size of the marine predators during a visit in 1699.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2026
Through the sheer force of his will and his brilliant comedic timing, Bratton was elevated to a cast member by the second season.

— Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of sheer

Adjective

Few social situations encourage or even allow unadulterated loopiness.

— Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026
Yes, violence and mistreatment of women should be called out and women and girls should be protected, but these decisions and statements are just pure, unadulterated corporate virtue signaling.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of unadulterated

Adjective

At the opening, Lafayette 148 NorthPark will feature its fall 2026 collection, including exclusive leather colorways created for Dallas, precise tailoring and signature white shirts informed by the archives and three decades of craftsmanship.

— Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
The suspects were arrested while traveling in white vans near RAF Fairford.

— Steve Hendrix, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of white

Adjective

South Korea has not given the project an unconditional green light and says its participation will depend on the economics.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov repeated Moscow's demand for a comprehensive peace deal, not a temporary break in hostilities, following Ukraine's call for a complete and unconditional ceasefire.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of unconditional

Cite this Entry

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“Pure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pure. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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