as in restoring
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially
a day on which the faithful are expected to purge themselves of their sins through prayer and fasting
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Recent Examples of purging
Maduro complemented the repressive apparatus by purging institutions of anyone who dared dissent.
—
Dallas Morning News, 3 Jan. 2026
The task of purging your closet of unwanted or outdated items to make more space can be a nightmare.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2025
Sharaa spent years gradually purging the more extreme elements from his coalition before the fall of the Assad regime.
—Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
Ross needs to lean into purging this franchise of its mediocre ways, which has turned a generation of South Florida fans away from football.
—Omar Kelly
october 31, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025
In an interview with Cycling Weekly last year, Slovenian Jan Tratnik said that his desperation to lose weight led him to develop bulimia – binge-eating large amounts of food and purging it to avoid weight gain.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
The country is undergoing a regulatory overhaul since Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad dissolved parliament in 2024, with reforms accompanied by purging citizenships the government says were fraudulently obtained, though rights groups say political opponents have also been targeted.
—semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Emma primarily accesses her power by purging or eating.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
The group accomplished a dazzling political ascent largely by purging their rivals within the party.
—Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purging
Verb
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Hialeah is set to turn the page today, when Bryan Calvo, 28, is set to be sworn as the youngest mayor in the city’s history, promising a four-year reset focused on professionalism, economic growth, and restoring public trust after years of frustration with city government.—
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Island custodians began restoring the vegetation in the 1960s—work that continues in the resort’s nursery.—
Verb
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Similarly, make sure to pay special attention to cleansing your jawline—another common breakout zone if makeup is left behind.—
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This three-in-one purifier, humidifier, and cooling fan takes a well-rounded approach to improving your air quality by hydrating and deeply cleansing the air.—
Verb
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The post came as Princess Kate shared a personal video on Instagram about healing through nature on her special day.—
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Coming together with others was healing for Angela, after seeing the video of an ICE officer fatally shooting a woman in Minneapolis.—
Verb
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For example, those that change the cooling solution or solvent, which is typically used in the process of separating and purifying nuclear materials.—
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One of the best home deals available, this one looks futuristic and boasts excellent purifying power.—
Cite this Entry
“Purging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purging. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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