as in drug
a substance used to induce or speed up the process of defecation
In the past, purgatives were sometimes administered in cases of accidental poisoning.
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Recent Examples of purgative
Sales of purgatives, tonics, syrups and patent medicines like Carter’s Little Liver Pills went through the roof as ordinary people were encouraged to closely monitor the frequency and quality of their bowel movements.
—
Elsa Richardson, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024
Or merely the tall-tale purgative of a frantic Purgatorian?
—Tom Nolan, WSJ, 11 June 2021
The persistent and sickening violence of Detroit could work as a powerful purgative, a corrective medicine for deprogramming those who doubt the reality of police brutality.
—Josephine Livingstone, New Republic, 8 Aug. 2017
Blackshirts forced their opponents to drink castor oil and other purgatives, and then sent them home, wrenching with pain and covered in their own feces.
—Michael Ebner, Slate Magazine, 30 Jan. 2017
Elsa Richardson, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024
Or merely the tall-tale purgative of a frantic Purgatorian?
—Tom Nolan, WSJ, 11 June 2021
The persistent and sickening violence of Detroit could work as a powerful purgative, a corrective medicine for deprogramming those who doubt the reality of police brutality.
—Josephine Livingstone, New Republic, 8 Aug. 2017
Blackshirts forced their opponents to drink castor oil and other purgatives, and then sent them home, wrenching with pain and covered in their own feces.
—Michael Ebner, Slate Magazine, 30 Jan. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purgative
Noun
-
He was arrested in Jakarta as a result of an investigation into an international drug trafficking network.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
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Taylor was charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence of drugs/substance, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and failure of owner to maintain required insurance/security.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
This remedy involves adding 2 Tbsp.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Oct. 2025
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Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, potentially in June 2026.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purgative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purgative. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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