as in rhetorical
full of fine words and fancy expressions
an overwritten novel with far too many purple patches
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Recent Examples of purple
There also was a costume contest, live music and the auction of the previous Shiver queen's shiny purple ski suit.
—
Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 9 Jan. 2026
Her groom wore a blue suit with a purple tie for the event.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
In New Orleans, the Mardi Gras festivities lasts 10 days leading up to Fat Tuesday with parades of green, purple and gold, Mardis Gras beads and, of course, king cakes.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2026
The cakes are made of sweet dough, iced and covered with purple, green and yellow sugar.
—Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purple
Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register, 9 Jan. 2026
Her groom wore a blue suit with a purple tie for the event.
—Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
In New Orleans, the Mardi Gras festivities lasts 10 days leading up to Fat Tuesday with parades of green, purple and gold, Mardis Gras beads and, of course, king cakes.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2026
The cakes are made of sweet dough, iced and covered with purple, green and yellow sugar.
—Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purple
Adjective
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The Four Freedoms Roosevelt named were not rhetorical ornaments offered as inspiration so much as a diagnosis.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
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Most Venezuelans who are smart recognize that this is a rhetorical device.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Every California governor since Earl Warren back in World War II had annually paraded into the ornate 1800s-decor Assembly chamber to address a joint session of the Legislature in what was always the most festive occasion of the year in the state Capitol.—
George Skelton,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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The service is a dream, as are the common spaces—handwoven tapestries by Portuguese artist José Sobral de Almada Negreiros hang throughout, with ornate furnishings and happy wallpaper in a rich yellow.—
Charlie Hobbs,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purple. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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