1
as in inferno
a temporary place or state in which the souls of people who die make amends for their sins
It was a summer job that felt like purgatory to the teen.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nightmare
a place or state of temporary suffering
We found ourselves trapped in the purgatory of a rush-hour traffic jam.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 purgatory
The internal affairs complaint that follows will likely join thousands of others in administrative purgatory.
—
Natasha Dartigue, Baltimore Sun, 23 Apr. 2025
So while federal prohibition keeps the United States stuck in legal purgatory, cannabis is scaling across continents, becoming pharmaceutical, industrial and increasingly normalized.
—Javier Hasse, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
An announced Waititi film similarly seems to be trapped in development purgatory.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 22 Apr. 2025
Whether the Steelers land Rodgers or not, the team knows its best path out of QB purgatory is to find a reliable, young passer.
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purgatory
Natasha Dartigue, Baltimore Sun, 23 Apr. 2025
So while federal prohibition keeps the United States stuck in legal purgatory, cannabis is scaling across continents, becoming pharmaceutical, industrial and increasingly normalized.
—Javier Hasse, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
An announced Waititi film similarly seems to be trapped in development purgatory.
—Eliana Dockterman, Time, 22 Apr. 2025
Whether the Steelers land Rodgers or not, the team knows its best path out of QB purgatory is to find a reliable, young passer.
—Dane Brugler, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purgatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purgatory
Noun
-
Can Verdugo, known for intensity — if not a full-on internal inferno like Donaldson, at least a flame — have any semblance of such impact on this team?—
David O'Brien,
New York Times,
19 Apr. 2025
-
Courtesy Andrea-Marie Stark Stark’s house is one of several that survived the inferno on her block, but its proximity to the flames meant everything inside was coated with a thick layer of soot.—
Alicia Victoria Lozano,
NBC News,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
For rule-followers like me, the prankster types were a nightmare.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
People.com,
7 June 2025
-
Left-hander Reid Detmers, whose three-game nightmare stretch a month ago began with a game in Seattle, struck out two in a scoreless inning, including Mariners star Cal Raleigh.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
7 June 2025
Noun
-
The other two-thirds are on a scale of anxiously hopeful to beyond desperate -- an amorphous netherworld of doubt that, yes, includes the Miami Dolphins with Tua Tagovailoa, or should.—
Greg Cote,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2025
-
But the film comes into its own at almost exactly an hour, as The Man begins the ritual and The Surrender threatens to go full occult gonzo, complete with a charmed circle and a bleak netherworld resembling Lucio Fulci’s 1981 splatter epic The Beyond.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Barking in agony, the fox scratches and claws in any attempt to free itself and get to safety.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
28 May 2025
-
Michaela calmly explains that Jocelyn got botched plastic surgery that’s kept her in private agony for the last decade.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Detectives believe his connections with the criminal underworld in Thailand may have begun during his 2019 spell there playing for PTT Rayong.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
-
Based on a webtoon called Mercy For None: Plaza Wars, the Netflix noir follows the vengeance campaign of Nam Gi-jun (Doctor Lawyer’s So Ji-sub), a former key member of Seoul’s criminal underworld.—
Kayti Burt,
Time,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Christopher Walken stars as a school teacher who comes out of a coma with a gift that feels more like a terrifying curse.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
23 May 2025
-
While Rory McIlroy finally broke his 11-year curse to claim the green jacket, Bradley struggled, missing the cut with a 3-over-par.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
Noun
-
But even the flames of hell can’t keep Southerners away from our beloved summer desserts.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
1 June 2025
-
Minnesota’s high-pressure defense made Oklahoma City’s life hell in the Wolves’ dominant win Saturday.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
Following the ordeal, Jung couldn't resist reliving the experience and sharing it on social media.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
-
At least 30 people were stranded more than 50 feet in the air during a terrifying ordeal at an amusement park.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purgatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purgatory. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share