purifying 1 of 2

adjective

as in cleansing

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purifying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of purify
1
as in purging
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially Catholics go to confession to be purified

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in filtering
to remove usually visible impurities from purify the water by distillation

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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 purifying
Verb
Potential applications include purifying pyrolysis oil produced from waste plastics, recovering industrial solvents used in battery manufacturing, pharmaceutical purification, and biofuel production. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 June 2026 The Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 is another HEPA purifying tower fan featuring 350-degree oscillation, 10 fan modes, and Air Multiplier Technology. — Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 23 June 2026 Local residents were urged to limit their exposure by remaining indoors with their windows and doors closed and advised to run air conditioning or air purifying units, where possible. — Adela Suliman, NBC news, 22 June 2026 Charcoal lends an extra purifying boost, while hydrolyzed keratin smooths frizz and softens hair after cleansing. — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 June 2026 In place of purifying catharsis, tragicomedy traffics in unresolved tension. — Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 14 June 2026 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 Flameless induction cooking ranges, waste management and composting, oil purifying machines—all part of a large attempt to make luxury a little less wasteful. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purifying
  1. cleansing
  2. purging
  3. filtering
  4. cathartic
  5. clarifying
  6. purificatory
  7. refining
  8. moving
Adjective
  • The in-shower treatment is meant to be used post-cleansing; simply massage it into wet hair and rinse it out two-to-three times a week.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 24 June 2026
  • To use the bestseller, distribute three pumps over the face and neck daily, post-cleansing, and start savoring its impressive effects after a couple of months of consistent application.
    — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Dec. 2025
Definition of cleansing
Verb
  • When purging categories was proposed during that period, it was met with fierce resistance from the Writers branch, as well as WGA.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 July 2026
  • That’s the upshot of purging most expensive veterans and investing in draft picks, as the Dolphins have.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 13 July 2026
Definition of purging
Verb
  • Your liver is responsible for breaking down toxins and filtering them out of the body, essentially detoxifying you from harmful substances and chemicals.
    — Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 22 July 2026
  • Of course your brain will start aggressively filtering things.
    — Kelly Samuel, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of filtering
Adjective
  • The singular Montreal collective, led by composer John Winston Phillips, returns after 17 years, committed as ever to its unique brand of labyrinthine, cathartic art-pop.
    — Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 24 July 2026
  • Thus began a cathartic, multi-year journey of self-discovery that Maddox chronicles in her documentary.
    — Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 22 July 2026
Definition of cathartic
Verb
  • Establishing Clear Ground Rules With Reporters The importance of clarifying standards is critical.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • For lawyers working to defend and expand anti-BDS legislation in court, PEN America’s new boycott position is clarifying.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 July 2026
Definition of clarifying
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
Definition of purificatory
Verb
  • From tailored button-downs to cargo pants and jumpsuits, Aniston proves that repeating versatile basics and refining your personal uniform is the key to mastering quiet luxury style.
    — Samantha Sutton, InStyle, 22 July 2026
  • Finance chiefs spend months refining the narrative, sharpening the metrics, and testing the waters with institutional investors to gauge whether the investment case will hold up once the market opens.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 July 2026
Definition of refining
Adjective
  • To discover that the notes corresponded to where there was more human activity was really very moving.
    — Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • The report conducted by the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California analyzed 2023-24 traffic stop data and found that Sacramento police disproportionately stopped Black drivers, often for minor vehicle equipment or non-moving violations.
    — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026
Definition of moving

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purify
purifying
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Cite this Entry

“Purifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purifying. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on purifying

Nglish: Translation of purifying for Spanish Speakers

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