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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 Charli’s album experienced a 2,600% increase in pure purchases from one week to the next. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025 What followed was, fittingly, pure glee. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 13 Sep. 2025 Capital combined with client introductions, regulatory know-how, or industry access can support growth in ways a pure check often doesn’t. Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025 Anderson-Haynes recommends drinking about 3 ounces of pure beet juice before an athletic event. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pure
Adjective
  • Place in a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip.
    Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2025
  • At the same time, v0 enables teams to generate responsive UIs directly from Figma designs or plain English descriptions, thereby minimizing the gap between vision and implementation.
    Paul Kovalenko, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Kyle Schwarber's fit with the Philadelphia Phillies is immaculate, but 29 other teams will get the chance to bid on him this winter anyway.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • But why so immaculate, and why so radio-only?
    Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Someone's mispronunciation, for example, might have more do with innocent ignorance as opposed to a mistake worth correcting.
    David Oliver, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • The new location will allow Wiggam Law to support clients outside of downtown Atlanta and directly in Gwinnett County, offering legal services including audit defense, tax litigation, penalty abatement, innocent spouse relief and IRS collections representation.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The strapless corset gown had a sheer illusion jacket embellished with pearls, and was paired with a cathedral veil.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Clad in a chain-mail dress with sheer stripes and waist-length hair, Wilson's appearance during the Chris Habana show was greeted with raucous applause.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Sister Maria will have people leaving the cinema with a skip in their step — her unadulterated positive view of the world is absolutely infectious.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
  • This series had no redeeming science value, but was pure unadulterated entertainment.
    Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • To win the grand prize, 10 contestants must stay as chaste as possible in a house together for four weeks.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 16 July 2025
Adjective
  • Five of them will be white balls with numbers from 1 to 70.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Applying coconut or walnut oil can go a long way towards disguising white scratches.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • These include the New York City Bridge Project, which provided unconditional cash support to low-income mothers, and the Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot, which gave 5,000 households a monthly stipend of $500 for 12 months.
    Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Sep. 2025
  • In the clip, Saúl sat with one of his father’s WBC belts draped proudly over his shoulder while Canelo spoke about unconditional support.
    Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pure. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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