1
as in purging
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially
Catholics go to confession to be purified
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in filtering
to remove usually visible impurities from
purify the water by distillation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in cleansing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 purifying
Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 7 Oct. 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
Dyson has introduced a line of purifying fans and heaters called De-NOx.
—Omaid Homayun, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Playing the character, much like Alicent Hightower in her stubbornness and strength, has been something of a purifying experience for Cooke.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
The Dyson Zone over-ear headphones came out in 2023 and coupled stylish over-ear sound with an air-purifying mask, perfect for the post-Covid public.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 Aug. 2025
The material could be used for purifying air and water, recovering solvents, extracting gold, and even for certain medical uses.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025
Traditionally, vaccines have required growing pieces of viruses, often in chicken eggs or giant vats of cells, then purifying that material.
—Amanda Seitz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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
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
Dyson has introduced a line of purifying fans and heaters called De-NOx.
—Omaid Homayun, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Playing the character, much like Alicent Hightower in her stubbornness and strength, has been something of a purifying experience for Cooke.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
The Dyson Zone over-ear headphones came out in 2023 and coupled stylish over-ear sound with an air-purifying mask, perfect for the post-Covid public.
—K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 Aug. 2025
The material could be used for purifying air and water, recovering solvents, extracting gold, and even for certain medical uses.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2025
Traditionally, vaccines have required growing pieces of viruses, often in chicken eggs or giant vats of cells, then purifying that material.
—Amanda Seitz, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purifying
Verb
-
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,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Emma primarily accesses her power by purging or eating.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The washer minimizes water usage by intelligently recycling and filtering during each stage.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Doctors treated him with immunosuppressive drugs and a blood-filtering procedure called plasma exchange.—
Humberto Basilio,
Scientific American,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The noncomedogenic formula retains face oil’s nourishing benefits while honing in on calming, clarifying, and evening.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
17 Oct. 2025
-
This story has been updated to add Freida’s second post, clarifying her request for prayers.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For Bolton, writing about the traumatic experience proved to be somewhat cathartic.—
Lynsey Eidell,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
There’s a fear of being misunderstood, but there’s also a cathartic freedom.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Over the next decade, Hawke and Linklater met periodically to read the script, refining it with screenwriter Robert Kaplow between sessions.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Duren’s been refining with big man coach Vitaly Potapenko but has shown sparingly thus far in his career.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Many stepwells were used for ablution; the tanks associated with mosques, Hindu temples and other shrines offered the most purificatory form. Summoning water from the depths was also a symbol of temporal power.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
13 July 2019
Verb
-
However, microfiber cloths require regular maintenance to work effectively; cleaning them regularly and properly is the key to their longevity.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
17 Oct. 2025
-
After cleaning, dry thoroughly.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Tomas Alfredson's atmospheric, brutal chiller is one of the most moving and memorable films about childhood put to screen.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Our audience responses were the most moving part of this entire journey.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purifying. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share