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
-
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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Call this Green Bay South, and buckle up for the uncomfortable ride of purging the roster for draft picks because everything of value will likely be sold off, shipped away if the right offer is made.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2026
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Order 1 dissolved the ruling Baath Party and removed all senior party members from their government positions, purging the administrative class that ran its ministries, hospitals and schools.—
Farah N. Jan,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The pro game has a way of filtering out two-way players with haste.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
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These organs are divided into hundreds of tiny filtering units that help expel a ton of salt.—
Sara Kiley Watson,
Popular Science,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And out rushes a blazingly cathartic torrent of honesty and horror.—
Sibani Ram,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
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The weekend took on a healing, cathartic ceremonial nature that is difficult to put into words.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Stepping outside your everyday life has a way of clarifying what actually matters, and returning home with fresh eyes often makes the decisions that felt tough seem far more manageable.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
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Start by clarifying priorities and boundaries this morning, then build steady momentum through the afternoon as support gathers and timing clicks into place.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
28 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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Naturium and Soft Services also offer thoughtful blends that incorporate ingredients such as allantoin and glycerin to soothe and hydrate while refining the skin.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
23 Mar. 2026
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The ship’s builder, Chantiers de l’Atlantique, first introduced the concept for a modern sailing cruise ship, known as Eoseas, in 2009 and has since continued refining the design for large passenger vessels.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Violators could be ticketed similar to a non-moving violation for a driver.—
Jim Turner,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
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Each wrong turn is bittersweet, making the eventual reunion even more moving and meaningful.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purifying. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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