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

• purgeable adjective
• purger noun
• 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

LSU’s Brian Kelly is the latest to go in a historic early season purge, dismissed at Baton Rouge for the shame of not being better than…good grief, freaking Vanderbilt?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Given the choice to purge books or hide their covers, Boismier did neither.

Read more on Salon

The Chinese Communist Party has named a veteran who has overseen anti-corruption efforts in the military to be the country's second highest ranking general, just days after nine generals were expelled in a major purge.

Read more on BBC

The third was convened in 2017, when the Central Committee promoted 11 alternates to replace purged officials, shortly before Xi started his second term as party chief.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Under President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, independent statisticians were purged, official inflation numbers were falsified, and economists who published alternative estimates reported being pressured to stop.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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