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 This production is pure spectacle, with show-stopping costumes and sets, all creating a modern take on the story. Lisa Hughes, CBS News, 13 July 2026 The underside is pure cotton and feels a bit more delicate, almost silky. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 13 July 2026 But his centre-forward qualities extend beyond pure physical strength, with Merino possessing genuine striker instincts, movement and anticipation. Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 11 July 2026 The price, the square-neckline, the rose, scalloped lace—everything about this sleeveless top is pure perfection. Kaitlin Clapinski, InStyle, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pure
Adjective
  • Currently, going to the Google image search site shows a plain search bar for finding images.
    Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 14 July 2026
  • Diaz was surprised to learn that most participants ignored their smartwatch alerts in favor of a plain old phone timer.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 14 July 2026
Adjective
  • And his fit with what the Celtics love to do, which is shoot 3-pointers, is an immaculate one.
    Tony Jones, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • One thing Princess Diana was never without was an immaculate French manicure.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • Again, another difficult night and a lot of dead people, innocent people, kids.
    ABC News, ABC News, 8 July 2026
  • True, nothing so grand as a massive dragon and naval battle took place, but seeing Rhaenyra start to change into someone almost unrecognizable from her younger, more innocent self was compelling in a deeper way.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
Adjective
  • The divisive trend first crossed my desk when Jennifer Lawrence stepped out in Paloma Wool’s sheer sarong-style version of the piece last summer, pairing the flowy garment with a cool oversized T-shirt and strappy sling-backs.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 11 July 2026
  • Perfumers often create this effect with notes like white musk, skin musk, aldehydes, watery florals, sheer woods, and delicate citrus, which together can evoke a cozy sense of self-care.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 11 July 2026
Adjective
  • Many who watched that win with unadulterated joy on NBC that Sunday suddenly felt like they may be getting used during the network broadcast of the SOTU on Tuesday.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 July 2026
  • All of these solutions are unevenly distributed, and the effects of unadulterated heat are concentrated on the country’s poor.
    Henry Grabar, The Atlantic, 27 June 2026
Adjective
  • Then there was the rather chaste kiss on Evans’s show late last year.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 26 June 2026
  • Deadhead your chaste tree in late winter to promote flowering in the spring and summer months.
    Steve Bender, Southern Living, 19 May 2026
Adjective
  • Hawai’i is home to a variety of beaches, from white sandy beaches to rocky shorelines; a day at the beach can differ greatly from one area to another.
    Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
  • Each ticket costs $5, and players may pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers — five different numbers from 1 to 70 (the white balls) and one number from 1 to 24 (the gold Mega Ball) — or select Easy Pick/Quick Pick.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 8 July 2026
Adjective
  • Ramp, the corporate card and expense management company backed by Iconiq and valued at $44 billion, is now Senra’s largest advertiser and, by CEO Glyman’s own description, an unconditional backer.
    Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • At its deepest level, this work is fueled by unconditional love—not sentimental or passive love but love as discipline, courage and commitment.
    Yujia Zhu, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Pure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pure. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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