as in fanatics
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 purists
Some soccer purists grumbled about the World Cup expanding this year from 32 to 48 teams.
—
Michael Cunningham,
AJC.com,
29 June 2026
Some purists may also argue that, in a competition like this, which comes around so rarely, there is a moral responsibility for teams to go full strength every time.
—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
The purists were always going to take issue with a Prancing Horse that had an electric powertrain instead of snarling internal combustion engine, but its unorthodox design, courtesy of Jony Ivy’s LoveFrom studio, has received just as much criticism.
—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
26 June 2026
There was a viewpoint among purists that combinatorics was sort of a bag of tricks.
—
Quanta Magazine,
25 June 2026
Yes, purists love pitching duels.
—
Ian Miller Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2026
On paper, free-market purists surely find this preferable.
—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
23 June 2026
Those who don’t shy away from more adventurous colors can indulge in vibrant options like aquamarine and amber, though purists have their pick as well with options like crystal and glossy black.
—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
18 June 2026
For martini purists, the Classic Martini Service is the cleaner test.
—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Michael Cunningham,
AJC.com,
29 June 2026
Some purists may also argue that, in a competition like this, which comes around so rarely, there is a moral responsibility for teams to go full strength every time.
—
Jack Pitt-Brooke,
New York Times,
27 June 2026
The purists were always going to take issue with a Prancing Horse that had an electric powertrain instead of snarling internal combustion engine, but its unorthodox design, courtesy of Jony Ivy’s LoveFrom studio, has received just as much criticism.
—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
26 June 2026
There was a viewpoint among purists that combinatorics was sort of a bag of tricks.
—
Quanta Magazine,
25 June 2026
Yes, purists love pitching duels.
—
Ian Miller Outkick,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2026
On paper, free-market purists surely find this preferable.
—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
23 June 2026
Those who don’t shy away from more adventurous colors can indulge in vibrant options like aquamarine and amber, though purists have their pick as well with options like crystal and glossy black.
—
Audrey Lee,
Architectural Digest,
18 June 2026
For martini purists, the Classic Martini Service is the cleaner test.
—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purists
Noun
-
For midcentury fanatics, look to Design Within Reach this week for up to 30% off thousands of icons, including these Rey dining chairs.
-
Together, the band brings to life a mythic world of ancient heroes and villains, attracting an excited audience of headbangers and fantasy fanatics, many of whom show up in costume.
Noun
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The Chamber’s work to prevent right-wing nationalists from winning primaries feels like the last gasp of the country club GOP, before the MAGA movement took over.
-
The group at the center of the feud, the UPA, was founded by nationalists loyal to Ukrainian nationalist leader Stepan Bandera.
Cite this Entry
“Purists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purists. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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