Definition of purenext
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Synonym Chooser

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 Always use pure, uncontaminated wood ash and test your soil pH before adding. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026 The way the light catches both a satin skirt and gold jewelry is pure winter sophistication. Alex Sales, Glamour, 3 Jan. 2026 The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind may be a film about wind power, but the story runs on pure optimism. Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026 But there is also something so pure about the dogs. Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 1 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
  • Many reviewers credited the beach’s immaculate facilities and amenities— including bathrooms, charcoal grills, tables, and picnic pavilions—for making their visits true trips to paradise.
    Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 22 Oct. 2025
  • But with Mayfield playing immaculate hero ball, those issues are less important than the fact that Tampa’s young (and now injured) secondary is exactly the type of game the Lions prefer to hunt.
    J.J. Bailey, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Given sun in just the proper dose, which is no more than three or four hours of direct daily exposure, its innocent look of youth may persist for a decade.
    Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
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
  • In the reunion episode, which aired Wednesday, Stause alleged that Davis had made disparaging comments about the use of gender-neutral pronouns and defended the practice of white people singing along to the N-word in music.
    Samantha Allen, Them., 7 Nov. 2025
  • True Ipomea batatas has bright orange flesh (although modern varieties have much more intense colors than older forms), occasionally white and rarely purple.
    Paul Cappiello, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Nov. 2025
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

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Cite this Entry

“Pure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pure. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on pure

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