purge
Americanverb (used with object)
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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.
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to rid, clear, or free (usually followed by of orfrom ).
The raid was intended to purge the political party of disloyal members.
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to remove by cleansing or purifying (often followed by away, off, orout ).
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to clear or empty (the stomach or bowels) by inducing vomiting or evacuation.
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to cause evacuation of the bowels of (a person).
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to put to death or otherwise eliminate (undesirable or unwanted members) from a political organization, government, nation, etc.
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Computers. to delete or remove (data or the like).
Make sure to purge all sensitive information from your phone before you sell it.
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to clear of imputed guilt or ritual uncleanliness.
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to clear away or wipe out legally (an offense, accusation, etc.) by atonement or other suitable action.
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Metallurgy.
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to drive off (undesirable gases) from a furnace or stove.
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to free (a furnace or stove) of undesirable gases.
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verb (used without object)
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to become cleansed or purified.
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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
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the act or process of purging.
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the removal or elimination of members of a political organization, government, nation, etc., who are considered disloyal or otherwise undesirable.
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something that purges, as a purgative medicine or laxative.
verb
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(tr) to rid (something) of (impure or undesirable elements)
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(tr) to rid (a state, political party, etc) of (dissident or troublesome people)
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(tr)
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to empty (the bowels) by evacuation of faeces
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to cause (a person) to evacuate his bowels
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to clear (a person) of a charge
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to free (oneself) of guilt, as by atonement
to purge contempt
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(intr) to be cleansed or purified
noun
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the act or process of purging
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the elimination of opponents or dissidents from a state, political party, etc
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a purgative drug or agent; cathartic
Other Word Forms
- purgeable adjective
- purger noun
- unpurgeable adjective
- unpurged adjective
Etymology
Origin of purge
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s a culpability we should all interrogate, not immediately purge.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026
He initiated an antigraft purge and dismantled the military’s top-heavy administrative fiefs in favor of centralized, joint-combat theater commands that report directly to the Central Military Commission, which he leads.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026
The most recent purge comes on the back of another crackdown which saw nine top generals - including some CMC members - removed from their posts in October 2025.
From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026
He would presumably say that he just wants to purge “the West” of its toxic self-doubt.
From Salon • Feb. 8, 2026
Rush then decided to try the strongest purge he knew of, known as the “Ten-and-Ten.”
From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
