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 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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purging
Verb
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Regional Transportation District officials have agreed to give the Front Range Passenger Rail District $3 million this year for public education about the first phase of restoring train service linking Colorado cities.—
Bruce Finley,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
The feasibility study suggested adding trails and basic amenities, restoring the forest, and undertaking major stabilization work.—
Michael Wells,
Kansas City Star,
27 May 2026
Verb
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Next is purifying and hydrating with the Body Wash, which moisturizes and plumps skin while deeply cleansing pores, strengthening the skin barrier and triggering cellular regeneration.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
Enjoy a few minutes of peace in the shower while cleansing and moisturizing your skin.—
Laura Lu,
Parents,
22 May 2026
Verb
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They were encouraged to purchase pricey gemstones from him that were supposedly imbued with healing powers.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
1 June 2026
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Tazheen Nizam, executive director of the San Diego office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, said the pain might last forever, even as healing beings.—
Roxana Popescu,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 May 2026
Verb
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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
-
Next is purifying and hydrating with the Body Wash, which moisturizes and plumps skin while deeply cleansing pores, strengthening the skin barrier and triggering cellular regeneration.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purging. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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