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
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
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
Elsa Richardson, TIME, 3 Oct. 2024
Or merely the tall-tale purgative of a frantic Purgatorian?
—Tom Nolan, WSJ, 11 June 2021
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purgative
Noun
-
Here’s how the agency and the administration could improve generic drug safety and reduce future shortages: Openly acknowledge the variable quality of our generic drugs.—
Arthur L. Kellermann,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
If your dry mouth is chronic and/or caused by a Sjogren’s or a side effect of radiation, your doctor may write you a prescription for a drug that increases natural saliva production like pilocarpine (Salagen) or cevimeline (Evoxac).—
Amy Marturana Winderl,
SELF,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Claim 5: Homeopathy and Supplements Can Replace Vaccines Homeopathic remedies and supplements have not been shown to trigger an immune response or prevent disease like vaccines do.—
Tim Ryan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
-
The State Executive Committee then reviews the case to find a remedy, according to the rule.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purgative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purgative. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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