as in fanatic
a person who has very strong ideas about what is correct or acceptable and who usually opposes changes to traditional methods and practices
a new style of play that offended the sport's purists a language purist who is always looking to correct the speech of others
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 purist
The music business is a crazy game, especially for somebody like me who is really a purist about the art.
—
Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
Nobel purists stress that the economics prize is technically not a Nobel Prize, but it is always presented together with the others on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death in 1896.
—CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Baseball’s automatic runner has brought new fans but also stirred anxiety among purists.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025
This is where our brand of technical analysis diverges from the purists who focus on price only.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purist
Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
Nobel purists stress that the economics prize is technically not a Nobel Prize, but it is always presented together with the others on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death in 1896.
—CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025
Baseball’s automatic runner has brought new fans but also stirred anxiety among purists.
—Rick Burton, Sportico.com, 6 Oct. 2025
This is where our brand of technical analysis diverges from the purists who focus on price only.
—Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purist
Noun
-
And while its nostalgia makes perfect sense in the homes of historical fiction fanatics and Austen fans, Crate & Kids recognized its whimsy also makes for a superb children’s collection.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
21 Oct. 2025
-
While the 28-year-old is well-known around the world as an advocate, some might be surprised to learn she and Malik, 35, are both sports fanatics.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The other sign was put up by a group of county business owners out of fear that these new residents will be far-right Christian nationalists set on gaining control of local government.—
David Peisner,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Bloody Sunday became one of the defining moments of the Troubles, three decades of sectarian violence involving nationalists seeking a united Ireland, unionists wanting Northern Ireland to remain a province of the United Kingdom, and British forces.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purist. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share