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
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Recent Examples of purist
To purists who fantasize about the fullest possible immersion in the original text, creative adaptation of this sort sounds like heresy.
—
Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
Disney and Lucasfilm really went all out with this one, and Star Wars fanatics who aren’t strict purists won't find a better box set right now.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 28 Dec. 2025
And while the defensive performance might not have been one for the distinct pleasure of the film room purists, the result — a decisive, controlling victory — is good enough for most.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
Mary Sloppins by Travis Clark Disney’s deal with OpenAI nauseated many film purists, but are the specifics of the licensing agreement really that bad?
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purist
Eric Bulson, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
Disney and Lucasfilm really went all out with this one, and Star Wars fanatics who aren’t strict purists won't find a better box set right now.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 28 Dec. 2025
And while the defensive performance might not have been one for the distinct pleasure of the film room purists, the result — a decisive, controlling victory — is good enough for most.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
Mary Sloppins by Travis Clark Disney’s deal with OpenAI nauseated many film purists, but are the specifics of the licensing agreement really that bad?
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purist
Noun
-
Disney and Lucasfilm really went all out with this one, and Star Wars fanatics who aren’t strict purists won't find a better box set right now.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
28 Dec. 2025
-
Virginia's capital city has something for every type of traveler—from history lovers and art fanatics to foodies and outdoorsy types.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
In this case, the maximum dream of any Latin American revolutionary nationalist is to stand up to el imperio, to the Yankee Empire itself.—
Caroline Mimbs Nyce,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
-
He’s marked as a dissident for responding with defiance to lesson plans mandated by federal authorities after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that teach youngsters to become Russian nationalists.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purist. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
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