purists

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

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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 But are these findings evidence that remote work purists have been right all along or ammunition for the return-to-office crowd? Kristin Stoller, Fortune, 27 July 2026 While home-theater purists will likely still opt for external AV receivers and soundbars, the PX4 Pro is tailored to operate smoothly as a completely standalone cinema center. New Atlas, 24 July 2026 This month, Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated The Odyssey hit theaters, and between controversy from purists and praise from film buffs, the epic film is the talk of the town right now. Anna Zucca, Vanity Fair, 23 July 2026 Science purists will note that this strange new world is not the famously gaseous Jupiter, but an extra, science textbook-rewriting ball of rock located roughly where the Asteroid Belt is now. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 23 July 2026 The chain, known for its no-talking, no-texting policy, recently introduced a new mobile ordering service to replace the traditional mode of pen-and-paper at the hands of servers, which has garnered criticism from some movie theater purists. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 22 July 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purists
Noun
  • The Northernmost Tree For now, most commercial breadfruit groves are still setting root, leaving the growing to the same type of people who once introduced it to the region — the plant fanatics.
    Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026
  • Democrats, whose brand is viewed as too left-wing in five out of six Senate-battleground states, should be similarly wary of fanatics trying to infiltrate their ranks.
    James Kirchick, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
Noun
  • The nationalists were members of the Constitutional Convention that met in Philadelphia in the Summer of 1787 to draft the successor to the articles, the United States Constitution.
    Donovan Fifield, Fortune, 19 July 2026
  • Christian nationalists — once existing in the margins of American Christianity — have become mainstream in recent years, establishing churches that host some of the nation’s most powerful politicians.
    Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026

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“Purists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purists. Accessed 30 Jul. 2026.

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