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
The purists will insist that Babe Ruth is rolling in his grave, while the game’s youngest fans probably aren’t listening to them with so many other options for entertainment.
—
Abbey Mastracco, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
When Barbara Walters started interviewing celebrities on her prime time specials for ABC in the 1970s, pearl-clutching journalistic purists were aghast.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
When the Mach-E hit the scene, plenty of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle purists were appalled by the idea that Ford would badge an EV as a Mustang.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
This personality transplant isn’t the only notable deviation likely to get the book’s purists up in arms.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purist
Abbey Mastracco, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
When Barbara Walters started interviewing celebrities on her prime time specials for ABC in the 1970s, pearl-clutching journalistic purists were aghast.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
When the Mach-E hit the scene, plenty of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle purists were appalled by the idea that Ford would badge an EV as a Mustang.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
This personality transplant isn’t the only notable deviation likely to get the book’s purists up in arms.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purist
Noun
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said radical religious fanatics leading Iran can’t be trusted with a nuclear weapon after attacking embassies and hotels during the war.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
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Attention discounted shoe shopping fanatics.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Two of its most high-profile residents have been described as Christian nationalists in local media.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
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Wilson, its most prominent leader, identifies as a Christian nationalist and preached at the Pentagon in February at Hegseth’s invitation.—
Tiffany Stanley,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purist. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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