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
Chili purists say there’s no place for beans in real chili, but since this recipe already bucks tradition by using turkey instead of ground beef, all bets are off.
—
Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Wildcat Mountain, New Hampshire In northern New Hampshire, Wildcat Mountain’s diehard following swears by its exciting terrain, stunning views of Mount Washington and the great White Mountain National Forest, and intimate, no-frills feel that makes winter-sport purists feel right at home.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
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
It’s powered by triple Volvo Penta D13-IPS1200 engines, which caused some grumbling among brand purists with a thirst for speed.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
The thespian is curious about how Ibsen purists might react to this cinematic interpretation.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 9 Jan. 2026
Wildcat Mountain, New Hampshire In northern New Hampshire, Wildcat Mountain’s diehard following swears by its exciting terrain, stunning views of Mount Washington and the great White Mountain National Forest, and intimate, no-frills feel that makes winter-sport purists feel right at home.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 8 Jan. 2026
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
It’s powered by triple Volvo Penta D13-IPS1200 engines, which caused some grumbling among brand purists with a thirst for speed.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
The thespian is curious about how Ibsen purists might react to this cinematic interpretation.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purists
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
-
Right-wing nationalists may well secure power in some big and important European countries, a development driven partly by dismay about mass immigration, and partly by economic stagnation.—
Max Hastings,
Twin Cities,
11 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
“Purists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purists. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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