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
  • Then there's the dust that will assuredly find its way into the habitat, Hynek said, so engineers are looking at filtering systems and just how much time will be required to clean the inside of the habitat.
    — Leonard David, Space.com, 5 Aug. 2026
  • Even though these are technically a semi-sheer, the curtain panels can give you a bit more privacy and more of a light-filtering sheer than a true light diffusion.
    — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of filtering
Adjective
  • Her set spanned all four of her records, with an emphasis on the cathartic reinvention found on her fourth LP, 2025’s Virgin.
    — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 31 July 2026
  • And if the right audience is primed, her surreal performances can be eye-opening and even cathartic for many.
    — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 27 July 2026
Definition of cathartic
Verb
  • Check the route, reread the message, or ask the clarifying question.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Aug. 2026
  • There is a common assumption that AI closes the gap by summarizing meetings, clarifying requirements and translating jargon.
    — Nik Froehlich, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 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
  • The partners plan to continue refining the reformer-engine integration before commercial deployments.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Their powers combined create a timeless foundation for exploring seasonal trends or refining casual basics.
    — Michel Mejía, Glamour, 2 Aug. 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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Cite this Entry

“Purifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purifying. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on purifying

Nglish: Translation of purifying for Spanish Speakers

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