purge

[purj]

verb (used with object)

purged, purging 

1. to rid of whatever is impure or undesirable; cleanse; purify.

   The water was purged and then tested for purity, so it should be safe to drink.

2. to rid, clear, or free (usually followed by of orfrom ).

   The raid was intended to purge the political party of disloyal members.

3. to remove by cleansing or purifying (often followed by away, off, orout ).

4. to clear or empty (the stomach or bowels) by inducing vomiting or evacuation.

5. to cause evacuation of the bowels of (a person).

6. to put to death or otherwise eliminate (undesirable or unwanted members) from a political organization, government, nation, etc.

   Synonyms: extirpate, liquidate, oust

7. Computers.,  to delete or remove (data or the like).

   Make sure to purge all sensitive information from your phone before you sell it.

8. to clear of imputed guilt or ritual uncleanliness.

9. to clear away or wipe out legally (an offense, accusation, etc.) by atonement or other suitable action.

10. Metallurgy.

    1. to drive off (undesirable gases) from a furnace or stove.

    2. to free (a furnace or stove) of undesirable gases.

verb (used without object)

purged, purging 

1. to become cleansed or purified.

2. to clear or empty the stomach or bowels by inducing vomiting or evacuation.

   A bulimic individual who binges and purges often will experience physical changes that make stopping the cycle extremely difficult.

noun

1. the act or process of purging.

2. the removal or elimination of members of a political organization, government, nation, etc., who are considered disloyal or otherwise undesirable.

3. something that purges, as a purgative medicine or laxative.

purge

/ pɜːdʒ /

verb

1. (tr) to rid (something) of (impure or undesirable elements)

2. (tr) to rid (a state, political party, etc) of (dissident or troublesome people)

3. (tr)

   1. to empty (the bowels) by evacuation of faeces

   2. to cause (a person) to evacuate his bowels

4. 1. to clear (a person) of a charge

   2. to free (oneself) of guilt, as by atonement

      to purge contempt

5. (intr) to be cleansed or purified

noun

1. the act or process of purging

2. the elimination of opponents or dissidents from a state, political party, etc

3. a purgative drug or agent; cathartic

Other Word Forms

• purger noun
• purgeable adjective
• unpurgeable adjective
• unpurged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of purge¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (verb) Middle English purgen, from Old French purg(i)er, from Latin pūrgāre “to cleanse”; (noun) Middle English, from Old French, derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of purge¹

C14: from Old French purger, from Latin pūrgāre to purify

Example Sentences

Fed Chair Jerome Powell has already admitted that the administration’s campaign to purge the U.S. of those here unlawfully may be a key factor in the declining payroll numbers.

Read more on MarketWatch

In the days following the story’s publication, lawmakers and animal advocates called on the state’s Food and Agriculture Department to stop “destroying evidence” of the deceptive practices by purging the records.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Party enforcers have taken down scores of senior officials as part of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s disciplinary purges.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Public-sector language is purged of all references to genuine history and science, in a campaign George Orwell would have found crude and obvious.

Read more on Salon

Agents regarded these moves as a purge, and press reports claimed that bureau morale was at an all-time low, charges that Gray denied.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• abolish 
• absolve 
• cleanse 
• dismiss 
• eradicate 
• erase 
• exonerate 
• expel 
• expunge 
• exterminate 
• forgive 
• liquidate 
• oust 
• prevent 
• remove 
• wipe out