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
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of purists
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
To further enrage Predator purists, Thia and Dek adopt a cuddly little monkey-ish creature as their companion, a CGI bit of whimsy seemingly borrowed from Pixar.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
The thespian is curious about how Ibsen purists might react to this cinematic interpretation.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
There are two players in the top 100 with a single-handed backhand, and one of those, Tatjana Maria, almost always plays a slice rather than hitting the kind of drive that tennis purists tend to imagine.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Parisian purists say the move betrays the artistry and craftsmanship of France’s tradition of couture.
—NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Language purists like to remind anyone who will listen that decimation actually means the slaughter of one in ten people, and was the military punishment wielded by the Roman army against deserters and mutineers.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Her current flavor catalog includes classic sourdough for the purists, blueberry-lemon for a bright twist, cinnamon swirl or cinnamon-raisin for cozy mornings, and even a colorful Funfetti version inspired by her friends’ kids.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
And though true skin-care purists might layer both in a 10-step routine, modern formulas like this one blur the lines—offering the best of both in one silky step.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Oct. 2025
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025
To further enrage Predator purists, Thia and Dek adopt a cuddly little monkey-ish creature as their companion, a CGI bit of whimsy seemingly borrowed from Pixar.
—Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
The thespian is curious about how Ibsen purists might react to this cinematic interpretation.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
There are two players in the top 100 with a single-handed backhand, and one of those, Tatjana Maria, almost always plays a slice rather than hitting the kind of drive that tennis purists tend to imagine.
—Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Parisian purists say the move betrays the artistry and craftsmanship of France’s tradition of couture.
—NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Language purists like to remind anyone who will listen that decimation actually means the slaughter of one in ten people, and was the military punishment wielded by the Roman army against deserters and mutineers.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Her current flavor catalog includes classic sourdough for the purists, blueberry-lemon for a bright twist, cinnamon swirl or cinnamon-raisin for cozy mornings, and even a colorful Funfetti version inspired by her friends’ kids.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
And though true skin-care purists might layer both in a 10-step routine, modern formulas like this one blur the lines—offering the best of both in one silky step.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purists
Noun
-
This album was so traumatizing for teenage Clash fanatics like me.—
Rob Sheffield,
Rolling Stone,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Coral fanatics will love visiting Negril, home to mountainous coral mounds and ethereal swim-through caves where green and red soft corals hang down like mystical fingers.—
Adrienne Jordan,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For decades, Chinese nationalists decried the inability of their leadership to stand up to other world powers.—
Kerry Brown,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Born in 1841, Longo’s upbringing by devout Catholic parents took place as the church faced pushback from Italian nationalists, as noted by Catholic News Agency.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purists. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share