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

The Defense Department purges images, biographies and histories that reference the Tuskegee Airmen, the Navajo code talkers and baseball legend Jackie Robinson.

From Salon

“His heart isn’t in the nativist purge the way the rest of his administration’s heart is into it,” the Cato Institute’s director of immigration studies, David J. Bier, told the New York Times.

From Los Angeles Times

The purge, which became known as the “Eureka method,” was hailed by white people as nonviolent and copied across California — including in Del Norte County, where Dock lived.

From Los Angeles Times

If leftists or progressives suffer a defeat, that is taken as proof that they can’t be tolerated and must be purged.

From Salon

The recent purge of several high-level members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent shock waves through the political establishment.

From Salon

Related Words

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