Synonyms of purists

purists

noun

plural of purist

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

Related Words

• fanatics
• nationalists
• partisans
• sticklers
• sectarians
• bigots
• dogmatists
• doctrinaires
• chauvinists
• jingoists
• dogmatizers

Dissimilar Words

• liberals
• freethinkers
• latitudinarians

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of purists

Spain versus Argentina in the final 24 hours later was never going to be a purists’ classic, but what unfolded was undoubtedly the dirtiest final since 2010, when the Spanish also faced aggressive, uncompromising opponents — the Netherlands. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Global football purists may have hated some of it, but the link between the World Cup and music is here to stay. — Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Sure, the mandatory hydration breaks added for all games (including those in domed stadiums with air conditioning) and a first-ever halftime show in the final were maddening for the soccer purists. — Jasmine Garsd, NPR, 20 July 2026

In recent days, though, broadcasters have predicted the spectacle will cause the regular half-time break to be extended, much to the annoyance of soccer purists. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 July 2026

Out of this opulent crop, Opeth were the OSDM purists at the party. — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 19 July 2026

This rendition of Cats—which recently won three Tony Awards—has frequently been described as the way Cats should have been from the start, and all but the purists will likely agree. — Madison Flager, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 July 2026

Some soccer purists grumbled about the World Cup expanding this year from 32 to 48 teams. — Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 29 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