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
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
And even those veterans could be traded in this rebuilding climate, where the Dolphins are seemingly purging bloated salaries, and traded away players who have value — such as receiver Jaylen Waddle and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick - for draft picks.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Order 1 dissolved the ruling Baath Party and removed all senior party members from their government positions, purging the administrative class that ran its ministries, hospitals and schools.
—Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
Heaters were deployed to keep the Orion capsule on top of the rocket warm, while rocket-purging systems were adapted to the cold.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Solid helium flow is essential for purging the engines and pressurizing the fuel tanks.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 21 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
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
And even those veterans could be traded in this rebuilding climate, where the Dolphins are seemingly purging bloated salaries, and traded away players who have value — such as receiver Jaylen Waddle and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick - for draft picks.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Order 1 dissolved the ruling Baath Party and removed all senior party members from their government positions, purging the administrative class that ran its ministries, hospitals and schools.
—Farah N. Jan, The Conversation, 10 Mar. 2026
Heaters were deployed to keep the Orion capsule on top of the rocket warm, while rocket-purging systems were adapted to the cold.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Solid helium flow is essential for purging the engines and pressurizing the fuel tanks.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 21 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purging
Verb
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The college aims to give its students an education that is not just about their work but about their lives—instilling in them a sense of purpose, restoring their feeling of competence, teaching them virtue.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
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Passage of the resolution would nullify the withdrawal and prevent a future presidential administration from restoring it.—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
-
This nourishing cleansing oil provides deep hydration for youthful, healthy-looking skin.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In Cavarocchi’s practice, womanhood is seen as a manifestation of nature, with landscapes playing a role in healing trauma and reflecting cyclical rhythms of regeneration.—
PhotoVogue,
Vogue,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Sometimes the most healing stories are the ones that begin with heartbreak.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
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While some cleansers strip skin of moisture while purifying pores and removing dirt and oil, this one does the opposite, according to shoppers.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Purging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purging. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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