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
Here was a symbolic way of purging Hindu society of untouchability.
—
Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
The data shows that black and brown people spend much longer time, in longer lines, purging people, people literally showing up and not knowing that their names have been purged from the rolls.
—CBS News, 4 May 2026
The administration has provided no explanation for purging the board, which helps steer the National Science Foundation and acts as an independent advisory body for the president and Congress on scientific and engineering issues, providing reports throughout the year.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
One or more of the agencies compiling these lists — the Illinois State Board of Elections, the Secretary of State, and the Illinois Department of Employment Security, evidently is not purging dead people from its lists, Mertes said.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 20 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
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
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
What started with restrictive eating habits led to binge eating, which led to purging.
—Eden Laase, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2026
Wyatt Williams, Harpers Magazine, 2 June 2026
The data shows that black and brown people spend much longer time, in longer lines, purging people, people literally showing up and not knowing that their names have been purged from the rolls.
—CBS News, 4 May 2026
The administration has provided no explanation for purging the board, which helps steer the National Science Foundation and acts as an independent advisory body for the president and Congress on scientific and engineering issues, providing reports throughout the year.
—Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
One or more of the agencies compiling these lists — the Illinois State Board of Elections, the Secretary of State, and the Illinois Department of Employment Security, evidently is not purging dead people from its lists, Mertes said.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 20 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
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
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
What started with restrictive eating habits led to binge eating, which led to purging.
—Eden Laase, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purging
Verb
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Last week, Hungary lifted its veto on beginning Ukraine’s accession process after weeks of negotiations with Kyiv on restoring minority rights for ethnic Hungarians in western Ukraine.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
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Connectivity As Emergency Infrastructure For Abe Diaz, Amazon’s head of disaster relief, restoring communications is a prerequisite for effective response.—
Monica Sanders,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
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An amuse bouche opened the meal, a palate-cleansing sorbet marked the end of the dinner and the beginning of dessert, and a little treat, and the end felt like a festive way to linger a little longer and celebrate a special meal.—
Christine Sarkis,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
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Priorities should be cleansing, hydration and protection, added hairstylist Carissa Cortez.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Jennifer Lopez is still healing.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
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The animals recovered from the home were also found in less than ideal conditions, but are now healing.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
15 June 2026
Verb
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In place of purifying catharsis, tragicomedy traffics in unresolved tension.—
Eugenie Brinkema,
ARTnews.com,
14 June 2026
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SacSewer does not charge or gain revenue from water treatment, which involves purifying raw environmental water into safe drinking water.—
Emma Hall,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purging. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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