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
Despite the conflict with Iran and other recent military activity overseas, the Pentagon seems focused on purging minorities and women.
—
Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
While purging senior military leaders, Xi has grown and modernized China’s army, navy, and air force; improved its cyberwarfare; and upgraded its nuclear arsenal.
—Michael Sheridan, Vanity Fair, 8 Apr. 2026
In late March, Sony removed 700 titles from the PlayStation Store, purging all listings from publisher Nostra Games.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 7 Apr. 2026
Sheinbaum has vowed to not purge people from the registry.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purge
Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026
While purging senior military leaders, Xi has grown and modernized China’s army, navy, and air force; improved its cyberwarfare; and upgraded its nuclear arsenal.
—Michael Sheridan, Vanity Fair, 8 Apr. 2026
In late March, Sony removed 700 titles from the PlayStation Store, purging all listings from publisher Nostra Games.
—James Peckham, PC Magazine, 7 Apr. 2026
Sheinbaum has vowed to not purge people from the registry.
—Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purge
Verb
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In more recent years, though, there has been a countermovement to restore Paul to a more credible Hellenistic context.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
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Crowfoot said the state’s ongoing efforts are also helping to restore vital tidal habitats and remove barriers that hinder fish migration.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Your skin is already producing less oil, so the goal is to cleanse without stripping what’s left.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
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Use it after cleansing and prepare to be wowed by how smooth your skin feels.—
Catherine Garcia,
TheWeek,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The brand is debuting Fango Purificante, a purifying mud mask for face and body, which will retail starting Monday for $56 on the brand’s website.—
James Manso,
Footwear News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Virtue’s Flourish line of products purify the follicles, nourish the scalp microbiome and create a fertile ground for healthy growth.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In many ways, plugging into the literary community and falling in love with reading again have healed that sense of loss.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Apr. 2026
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That includes captain Gabriel Landeskog, who worked for years to heal and return as a contributor and a leader of his team following long-term injury after the previous Cup run.—
Jack Lowenstein,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purge. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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