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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
The International Classic Film Market (MIFC), the world’s only market dedicated to restoring and promoting heritage films, returns to Lyon alongside the Lumière Film Festival for its 13th edition expected to draw a record number of participants.—
Lise Pedersen,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
-
And, restoring and maintaining the health of Florida’s 1,100 springs will require further study to tailor appropriate interventions to each one.—
Christopher F. Meindl,
The Conversation,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
As far as use goes, the brand suggests cleansing as usual before using the bar as a second cleanse to kill the acne-causing oils and bacteria and offer deeper exfoliation.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
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
-
Wishing you a speedy recovery…sending you healing wishes and prayers!—
Charna Flam,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Behind them, the wildflowers bloom softly from the healing dirt of an earth that has never known a thing besides how to just keep going.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Unlike your everyday shampoo, a purifying shampoo is designed to tackle buildup from hair products and environmental residue, giving your scalp health a boost and prepping your strands for shine and softness.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Antimony also is used in clean-energy technologies, including liquid-metal batteries, and for purifying glass in solar panels.—
Kevin Fixler
September 20,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purging. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share