purge

[ purj ]

/ pɜrdʒ /

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See synonyms for: purge / purging on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), purged, purg·ing.

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

to rid, clear, or free (usually followed by of or from): to purge a political party of disloyal members.

to clear of imputed guilt or ritual uncleanliness.

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

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

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

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

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

Metallurgy.

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

verb (used without object), purged, purg·ing.

to become cleansed or purified.

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

the act or process of purging.

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

something that purges, as a purgative medicine or laxative.

OTHER WORDS FOR purge

8 oust, liquidate, extirpate.

See synonyms for purge on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM purge

purge·a·ble, adjectivepurg·er, nounun·purge·a·ble, adjectiveun·purged, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use purge in a sentence

The sea, that purger of sick souls, had washed away the fever and the fret of the last few days.
The House of the Vampire|George Sylvester Viereck

British Dictionary definitions for purge

purge

/ (pɜːdʒ) /

verb

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

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

(tr)

to empty (the bowels) by evacuation of faeces
to cause (a person) to evacuate his bowels

to clear (a person) of a charge
to free (oneself) of guilt, as by atonementto purge contempt

(intr) to be cleansed or purified

noun

the act or process of purging

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

a purgative drug or agent; cathartic

Derived forms of purge

purger, noun

Word Origin for purge

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

purge

OTHER WORDS FOR purge

Origin of purge

OTHER WORDS FROM purge

Words related to purge

How to use purge in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for purge

Derived forms of purge

Word Origin for purge