purging

American  

[pur-jing] / ˈpɜr dʒɪŋ /

adjective

1. having a clearing, emptying, or purifying effect.

   Her fears of death have passed like a cloud, absorbed in the purging sunlight of clear poetry.

2. having to do with deliberate or induced vomiting or evacuation of the bowels: These purging drugs have an excellent safety record.

   Many physical conditions result from the purging aspect of bulimia, including electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal problems, and dental issues.

   These purging drugs have an excellent safety record.

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noun

1. the action of clearing, emptying, or purifying.

   It may require a lot of focused work involving the purging of old habits and harsh self-judgment.

   The drugs have been used clinically in the purging of T-cells or tumor cells from bone marrow before transplantation.

2. the act of removing or expelling people who are considered disloyal or otherwise unwanted from an organization, political party, nation, etc..

   The judge has granted a temporary injunction stopping the purging of voter registration rolls.

   The rebels’ key negotiating point was the purging of the armed forces as a first condition.

3. deliberate or induced vomiting or evacuation of the bowels: The medication affects the salivary glands, tear ducts, intestines, and bowels, and can cause violent purging.

   Binge eating can also occur on its own without the purging that occurs with bulimia.

   The medication affects the salivary glands, tear ducts, intestines, and bowels, and can cause violent purging.

Etymology

Origin of purging

First recorded in 1350–1400; purg(e) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; purg(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

“Is he purging not just perfectly competent people, but highly competent people, the people you would want in your foxhole?” he asks.

From Salon • May 1, 2026

But I do think this particular controversy has tapped into something deeper, purging a spiritual angst that has long surrounded liberal culture.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026

Meta is currently purging the ads on its platforms and plans to ban future ads that promote the litigation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

“What goes around comes around,” Kavanaugh said, noting that if Cook could be removed, future presidents of either party might feel justified in purging sitting governors.

From Barron's • Jan. 21, 2026

I felt like I had stepped onto the surface of the planet Vulcan, and was finally going to master the Kolinahr discipline, embracing logic and purging myself of all emotions.

From "Darius the Great Is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram