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
Frank Landymore, Futurism, 25 Feb. 2026
When taken together in the evening, extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice are said to act synergistically to create a gently purifying antioxidant blend.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026
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
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
Verb
In a nutshell, wastewater recycling works by first physically filtering the water, then subjecting it to reverse osmosis, and finally purifying it with ultraviolet light.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 25 Feb. 2026
When taken together in the evening, extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice are said to act synergistically to create a gently purifying antioxidant blend.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026
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
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
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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Because helium is essential for pressurizing cryogenic tanks and for purging the pipelines that will carry highly reactive liquid oxygen, the leak raised concerns.—
Marcos Fernandez Tous,
The Conversation,
4 Mar. 2026
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Heaters were deployed to keep the Orion capsule on top of the rocket warm, while rocket-purging systems were adapted to the cold.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This symbiotic pairing allowed the plants to efficiently absorb essential nutrients while simultaneously filtering out toxic heavy metals.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Mar. 2026
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Another $4 million will go toward a program that distributes air purifiers capable of filtering hydrogen sulfide and other pollutants from the toxic cross-border flows.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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After more than a decade on hiatus, the blog-era indie-pop band reunites for a cathartic, mature comeback record that sounds like a big-dreaming debut.—
Brian Howe,
Pitchfork,
6 Mar. 2026
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While cathartic for a moment, both Claire and Jamie are distraught, thinking that their daughter could have been alive and never knew.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Buy time by clarifying When you're caught off guard, asking a question in return can be a powerful move.—
Melody Wilding,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2026
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When user requests are ambiguous, rather than simply assuming one specific interpretation, systems now often ask a clarifying question to reduce the risk of creating frustration or making mistakes.—
Frédéric Dalsace,
Harvard Business Review,
2 Mar. 2026
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 late guru, who lived quietly on Dearborn Street in Chicago, had little public profile but a slew of devotees like Hughes, who credited him with refining their acts and would journey to Chicago to sit at his knee — metaphorically, at least.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
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Engineers also conducted tuft testing on wheel fairings and panel gaps to validate real-world airflow against computer simulations, refining aerodynamic efficiency and vehicle fit.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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It’s been very, very moving, and it’s never happened for a Norwegian film before.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
26 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Purifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purifying. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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