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
And so every autocrat ends up purging any kind of critic.
—
Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Back in Texas, five days of purging await.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 12 Jan. 2026
Maduro complemented the repressive apparatus by purging institutions of anyone who dared dissent.
—Dallas Morning News, 3 Jan. 2026
The task of purging your closet of unwanted or outdated items to make more space can be a nightmare.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
Ross needs to lean into purging this franchise of its mediocre ways, which has turned a generation of South Florida fans away from football.
—Omar Kelly
october 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
In an interview with Cycling Weekly last year, Slovenian Jan Tratnik said that his desperation to lose weight led him to develop bulimia – binge-eating large amounts of food and purging it to avoid weight gain.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
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
Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026
Back in Texas, five days of purging await.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 12 Jan. 2026
Maduro complemented the repressive apparatus by purging institutions of anyone who dared dissent.
—Dallas Morning News, 3 Jan. 2026
The task of purging your closet of unwanted or outdated items to make more space can be a nightmare.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
Ross needs to lean into purging this franchise of its mediocre ways, which has turned a generation of South Florida fans away from football.
—Omar Kelly
october 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
In an interview with Cycling Weekly last year, Slovenian Jan Tratnik said that his desperation to lose weight led him to develop bulimia – binge-eating large amounts of food and purging it to avoid weight gain.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purging
Verb
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If passed, the Grand Canyon Restoration Act will cover costs associated with restoring and rebuilding the historic lodge.—
Sarah Henry,
AZCentral.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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In a statement, her office said the government was committed to helping residents find alternative housing and to restoring road access, utilities and school activities in town.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Glamour reviewer Elismary Valle says that this cleanser is fast and tough, and brushes and makeup sponges are left as good as new after cleansing with it.—
Taryn Brooke,
Glamour,
22 Jan. 2026
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The aura-cleansing ritual is designed to realign your chakras and release any energy that may be weighing you down.—
Mary Honkus,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Keep it to a minimum so the tree can focus on its foliage rather than healing its wounds.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
26 Jan. 2026
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People have begun to donate food and water, and the community supports each other, especially protesters who have healing professions like therapists, Stauffer said.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Crews continue to work in the crash site around Grade Lane, just south of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, hauling away contaminated soil, purifying water and repairing roadways.—
Stephanie Stremplewski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
14 Jan. 2026
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For example, those that change the cooling solution or solvent, which is typically used in the process of separating and purifying nuclear materials.—
Tasmin Lockwood,
CNBC,
6 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purging. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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