as in restoring
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 purging
The group accomplished a dazzling political ascent largely by purging their rivals within the party.
—
Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Maddie hides her binging and purging from Deena and Jake, lying about being pregnant to distract her husband from what’s really going on.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
His machinations were getting no coverage to speak of, but even at that early stage, Vrabel — Volin noted — was purging the Patriots roster of players connected to his predecessors, one-year head coach Jerod Mayo and before that, legendary head coach Bill Belichick.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Gradually, the habit evolved into purging food and then into a way to maintain his weight.
—Noelle Wiehe, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025
The ice-cream company Turkey Hill, which joined the dairy industry’s dye pledge, is in the process of purging its products of titanium dioxide, a spokesperson said.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 8 Aug. 2025
Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Maddie hides her binging and purging from Deena and Jake, lying about being pregnant to distract her husband from what’s really going on.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
His machinations were getting no coverage to speak of, but even at that early stage, Vrabel — Volin noted — was purging the Patriots roster of players connected to his predecessors, one-year head coach Jerod Mayo and before that, legendary head coach Bill Belichick.
—Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025
Gradually, the habit evolved into purging food and then into a way to maintain his weight.
—Noelle Wiehe, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Aug. 2025
The ice-cream company Turkey Hill, which joined the dairy industry’s dye pledge, is in the process of purging its products of titanium dioxide, a spokesperson said.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 8 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purging
Verb
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Over the past three years, the city has begun to address long-overdue repairs, reopening pools, restoring lighting, and fixing building roofs, efforts that were largely neglected during Hernandez’s administration.—
Veronica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
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The museum’s plans for Excelsior Club included restoring the existing two-story structure and adding a connecting history center focused on local and regional Black history.—
Catherine Muccigrosso,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Over the years, Origins has built a roster of skin-care staples that have earned a loyal following and plenty of editor love, like nourishing cleansing balms, hardworking chemical peels, and deliciously scented body lotions.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
12 Sep. 2025
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LaVon suggests gently cleansing the scalp with a refresher spray after sweating, followed by a few drops of lightweight oil like grapeseed.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ride bareback on a steed into the Indian Ocean with the popular Swimming with Horses activity, try healing equine therapy with the gentle creatures or partake in yoga, massage or reiki that all involve horses.—
Jennifer Kester,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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This week, the Aries Moon on Monday and Tuesday lights a fire under your joy sector, reminding you that play and creativity are healing too.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Playing the character, much like Alicent Hightower in her stubbornness and strength, has been something of a purifying experience for Cooke.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
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The Dyson Zone over-ear headphones came out in 2023 and coupled stylish over-ear sound with an air-purifying mask, perfect for the post-Covid public.—
K. Thor Jensen,
PC Magazine,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purging. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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