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
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
As expected, the nostalgic remake of the Air Force 1’s 2001 mold stays faithful to an era of the sneaker that many purists consider to be among the best.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 18 June 2026
For martini purists, the Classic Martini Service is the cleaner test.
—Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Audiences and technophiles have been wowed, but film purists have howled over the trimming of more than 25 minutes of runtime, including some musical numbers.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 June 2026
Some purists say the art form kicked the bucket when record labels took control in the 1980s and turned a South Bronx creation into big business.
—John Kennedy, VIBE.com, 9 June 2026
Old-World purists, avert your eyes.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 7 June 2026
Sunday’s game was not for baseball purists.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 1 June 2026
Reports from the Associated Press, though, suggest every effort is being made to ensure the timings remain the same – a relief for many purists.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 18 June 2026
As expected, the nostalgic remake of the Air Force 1’s 2001 mold stays faithful to an era of the sneaker that many purists consider to be among the best.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 18 June 2026
For martini purists, the Classic Martini Service is the cleaner test.
—Noel Burgess, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Audiences and technophiles have been wowed, but film purists have howled over the trimming of more than 25 minutes of runtime, including some musical numbers.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 June 2026
Some purists say the art form kicked the bucket when record labels took control in the 1980s and turned a South Bronx creation into big business.
—John Kennedy, VIBE.com, 9 June 2026
Old-World purists, avert your eyes.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 7 June 2026
Sunday’s game was not for baseball purists.
—Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 1 June 2026
Reports from the Associated Press, though, suggest every effort is being made to ensure the timings remain the same – a relief for many purists.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purists
Noun
-
In the winter, Aspen’s restaurants and bars (in town, in Snowmass, or even on the mountain) are packed with both snow enthusiasts and Aspen fanatics who never trade in their Moon Boots for ski boots.—
Chadner Navarro,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
-
Luckily for Southern Mountain Dew fanatics, there are Casey’s locations across the South.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
As the 1956 Suez Crisis helped crystallize an alliance between Arab nationalists and the Soviet Union, this anti-Zionist ideology took root in the Middle East.—
Adam Louis-Klein,
The Atlantic,
18 June 2026
-
Most people do not walk around identifying themselves as either patriots or nationalists.—
Maia Niguel Hoskin,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purists. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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