as in to restore
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially
a day on which the faithful are expected to purge themselves of their sins through prayer and fasting
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Recent Examples of purge
From 2016 to 2019, around 4,000 judges in Turkey were purged and replaced with far less experienced judges who are supporters of Erdoğan.
—
Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Maybe that oversized bath sheet that isn’t getting used needs to be purged.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2026
Heaters are keeping the Orion capsule warm atop the rocket, officials said, and rocket-purging systems are also being adapted to the cold.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
The cancellations come after Trump purged the center’s bipartisan board members, just seven days after he was inaugurated into office in 2025.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purge
Kaya Genç, The Dial, 3 Feb. 2026
Maybe that oversized bath sheet that isn’t getting used needs to be purged.
—Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 1 Feb. 2026
Heaters are keeping the Orion capsule warm atop the rocket, officials said, and rocket-purging systems are also being adapted to the cold.
—Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
The cancellations come after Trump purged the center’s bipartisan board members, just seven days after he was inaugurated into office in 2025.
—Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purge
Verb
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Ford donated two F-150s and Ford employees volunteered to help to build homes and restore schools.—
Jamie L. LaReau,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
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The Night Watch, restored to its full former glory in 2022.—
Clodagh Kinsella,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This drugstore pick is especially designed for anyone experiencing mild or normal shedding due to breakage and helps restore strength by using gentle surfactants while cleansing.—
Jamie Wilson,
Glamour,
20 Feb. 2026
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This one not only deposits color, but also gently cleanses and conditions the hair.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Uranium is a nuclear fuel that can be used to make a bomb if purified to high levels.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
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But all of those religions are teaching us how to purify our minds and become a good person in our society.—
Meagan Jordan,
Rolling Stone,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The only way to heal from runner’s knee is rest.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
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In addition to having personal trainers come in to provide training classes, an important aspect of the building is giving officers a place to heal and focus on their personal wellness, officials said.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purge. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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