as in cleansing
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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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Recent Examples of purifying
Stephanie Stremplewski, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Jan. 2026
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
One of the best home deals available, this one looks futuristic and boasts excellent purifying power.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025
The unit also features an air-purifying system, automatic defrosting function, and interior LED light that can be set for a blue, amber, or white glow.
—Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Nov. 2025
Drinking water with a slice of lemon first thing in the morning is one of the most vouched-for wellness tips—and not just for its purifying properties.
—Ana Morales, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2025
Rubber plants have broad waxy leaves that are effective in purifying the air from toxins and absorbing bacteria and mold spores.
—Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Nov. 2025
Berenter said people have become more familiar with the concept of purifying sewage — and much more trusting of the science behind it — since San Diego first floated the idea two decades ago.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Like the process of purifying reuse water, the desalination process is more expensive than the typical methods of treating non-brackish groundwater for consumption.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
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
One of the best home deals available, this one looks futuristic and boasts excellent purifying power.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 1 Dec. 2025
The unit also features an air-purifying system, automatic defrosting function, and interior LED light that can be set for a blue, amber, or white glow.
—Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Nov. 2025
Drinking water with a slice of lemon first thing in the morning is one of the most vouched-for wellness tips—and not just for its purifying properties.
—Ana Morales, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2025
Rubber plants have broad waxy leaves that are effective in purifying the air from toxins and absorbing bacteria and mold spores.
—Chris McKeown, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Nov. 2025
Berenter said people have become more familiar with the concept of purifying sewage — and much more trusting of the science behind it — since San Diego first floated the idea two decades ago.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Like the process of purifying reuse water, the desalination process is more expensive than the typical methods of treating non-brackish groundwater for consumption.
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purifying
Adjective
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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
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Mario Badescu’s no-frills formula refines pores and soothes skin post-cleansing with witch hazel and rose water.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
18 Nov. 2025
Verb
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And so every autocrat ends up purging any kind of critic.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
23 Jan. 2026
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Back in Texas, five days of purging await.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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By filtering the grammar of naturalism through a fine mesh strainer until all that remains are skeletal forms and eerie compositional croppings, Schjerfbeck forces your eye toward an occluded or trivial detail.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
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Due to filtering out both large and small particles, an N95 can help those suffering from respiratory issues avoid problems and irritation caused by smoke and ash.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In the modern landscape, there could be something enjoyably cathartic about letting a chat bot be the big bad our hero has to take down.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
21 Jan. 2026
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Playing a character who goes off the rails was cathartic for Turner, who shot the series in 2024 shortly after moving back to England following her messy divorce from pop star Joe Jonas.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Rather than clarifying events surrounding Epstein's death, the footage appears to complicate the official narrative, and contradicts some prior statements about the prison's surveillance system.—
Daniel Ruetenik,
CBS News,
31 Dec. 2025
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The death certificates for Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner are clarifying the timeline of their deaths.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The company has been refining its systems to better navigate during such circumstances and weather, Waymo said afterward.—
Lora Kolodny,
CNBC,
22 Jan. 2026
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Tesla’s past of missing production timelines Even for Tesla, which has spent years refining high-volume EV production, timelines often differ from reality.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Among the more moving cases that Blair describes are those of people who in life were vulnerable and powerless but in death were considered formidable threats.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
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The offense is considered a non-moving violation with no license points, though vehicles can be towed in some cases.—
Evan Moore,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purifying. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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