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 The challenge, though, will be proving the business success of a space that’s not pursuing pure transactions. — Ashley Ogawa Clarke, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026 Taking the McDavid minutes away gives us the purest form of agony these defencemen are experiencing at this time. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026 That is the same name as Arsenal’s storied former stadium from 1913-2006 but the link is pure coincidence and the ground is a world away from what the Premier League team is used to. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 Wellbeing, though, declined 1 percent in the third quarter, with the company stating that this reflects conscious choices to rebalance revenues and relative pricing between direct-to-consumer, club, pure play online and omnichannels. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pure

Adjective

The best, the least mediocre, unfortunately, is Tadao Ando, the better of whose work derives from Kahn, the plain modular rectangles made of concrete framed by verticals and, less clear even in Kahn, the geometric cuts and sections.

— Julian Rose, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Here is a plain-language guide to what the tiny beads do, where the practice came from and what the research shows.

— Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of plain

Adjective

The paperwork was immaculate, but nobody was watching for the renewal date.

— Patrick O'Connor, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Texas Roadhouse isn't just a one-trick pony, though, as their appetizers — the cheese fries in particular — are immaculate, and their chili is some of the best in the biz.

— Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of immaculate

Adjective

Investigators believe the girl and two adults who were shot were innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire after an argument escalated into gunfire, according to police.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026
Maryland is hardly an innocent bystander in America’s gerrymandering wars.

— Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of innocent

Adjective

Measure what got shipped, not how many hours a screen stayed unlocked or what the sheer activity is, which is based on keystrokes and mouse movements.

— Adithyan RK, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Lula overcame these obstacles with sheer people power, thanks to a 10 million-person-strong digital army organized over WhatsApp focused on getting his campaign message out.

— Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of sheer

Adjective

The basic model of competitive markets which one finds in an introductory economics textbook—where independent firms engage in cold arm’s-length transactions motivated by unadulterated self-interest—does not apply to the industry.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Few social situations encourage or even allow unadulterated loopiness.

— Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of unadulterated

Adjective

The interiors play on terracotta tones that nod at once to the neighborhood’s brick walls and clay tennis courts, with white as a further reminder of the sport.

— Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 2 Nov. 2026
Irina Temnova In the entryway, the floor is covered with white tiles dotted with small black accents, in keeping with the contemporary classic style.

— Marilena Pitino, Architectural Digest, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of white

Adjective

In the primary, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee courted Ford for a possible endorsement but ultimately found policy differences with him, Ford said, including his declining to support unconditional military aid to Israel.

— Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
The word agape means selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love.

— Josh Taylor, CBS News, 28 Oct. 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 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of pure

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