Showing results for "purging"

• present participle of purge.

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

See Examples For:

purging

Dick’s spent the end of last year purging Foot Locker’s underperforming stores and inventory.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

As someone who grew up participating in many garage sales, I do think there is value in purging, even if you’re not selling items for as much as you potentially could.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 16, 2026

“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

Instead, he suggested modest purging, that patients be gently induced to sweat, that their hands and feet be bathed in vinegar and water, and that they get as much cool, fresh air as possible.

From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy