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 country is undergoing a regulatory overhaul since Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad dissolved parliament in 2024, with reforms accompanied by purging citizenships the government says were fraudulently obtained, though rights groups say political opponents have also been targeted.
—
semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Emma primarily accesses her power by purging or eating.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
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
semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Emma primarily accesses her power by purging or eating.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purging
Verb
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Franklin played a pivotal role in rejuvenating the program’s culture and restoring its national relevance over his 12 seasons, but just before last Sunday’s practice, Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft informed him that the school was moving in a different direction.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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Importantly, Starboard was also granted a board seat for its CEO Jeff Smith, restoring a great deal of investor confidence in the company.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Practice standing and walking meditation, the Microcosmic Orbit, Taiji Ruler, the Eight Treasures, cleansing the internal organs, embodying the elements and more.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Simply apply it in the morning after cleansing and follow up with the moisturizer and SPF of your choice, though the brand makes a set for those who want the whole routine.—
Caitlyn Martyn
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Fortunately, the feline is healing incredibly well, and the vet even gave her some adorable pink ears made of wool.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
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While political violence decreased, his heavy-handed rule papered over France’s wounds without healing them.—
Time,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Like the process of purifying reuse water, the desalination process is more expensive than the typical methods of treating non-brackish groundwater for consumption.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Oct. 2025
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The lightweight gel also features hectorite clay—a purifying agent to absorb excess sebum—niacinamide, and of course, ceramides to quell shine and keep blemishes at bay.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purging. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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