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
Sez Me … The NBA has been weaponized, now meant to inflict harm on the eyes of purists.
—
Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Midcentury purists will rejoice in this true vintage FBJ Mobler piece, made from teak in a classic Danish silhouette.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 18 Feb. 2026
For the literary purists out there, this might be the most faithful adaptation of them all.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
While some literary purists have panned Fennell and Robbie (who produced the film) for smut-ifying an icon of the American bookshelf, their critiques haven't seemed to sway audiences.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
In a way, that’s how adaptations of novels work in general, although few do it with less care or anxiety for what purists will think of the end result.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Delicia Delicia's menu probably won't win over many purists of Mexican and Central American food.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 11 Feb. 2026
For purists, that will be the biggest downside to the RS5 going PHEV, and a challenge for Audi engineers, who will need to build a car with the driving dynamics of a sports car in a package that will likely weigh over two tons.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
The DJs and producers are not purists overall.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2026
Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026
Midcentury purists will rejoice in this true vintage FBJ Mobler piece, made from teak in a classic Danish silhouette.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 18 Feb. 2026
For the literary purists out there, this might be the most faithful adaptation of them all.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
While some literary purists have panned Fennell and Robbie (who produced the film) for smut-ifying an icon of the American bookshelf, their critiques haven't seemed to sway audiences.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
In a way, that’s how adaptations of novels work in general, although few do it with less care or anxiety for what purists will think of the end result.
—Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Delicia Delicia's menu probably won't win over many purists of Mexican and Central American food.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 11 Feb. 2026
For purists, that will be the biggest downside to the RS5 going PHEV, and a challenge for Audi engineers, who will need to build a car with the driving dynamics of a sports car in a package that will likely weigh over two tons.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 5 Feb. 2026
The DJs and producers are not purists overall.
—Katie Bain, Billboard, 29 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purists
Noun
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Over a month later, Punch fanatics can now breathe a sigh of relief, as new videos have surfaced of him enjoying hugs and even hitching a ride on the back of one of his cohabitants.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
27 Feb. 2026
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But Burger King believes the Whopper changes are subtle enough not to offend fanatics, while luring back customers who may have soured on the brand.—
Vanessa Yurkevich,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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His visit is the latest olive branch from Washington to a network of hard-line nationalists across Europe, with Vice President JD Vance shattering norms last year by meeting with leaders from Germany’s far-right AfD party.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
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Schwörer noted that in Spain or Portugal, the right-wing nationalists might defend the right to hunt and hold a bullfight.—
Daniel Engber,
The Atlantic,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purists. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
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