Meaning

(transitive) To clean thoroughly; to rid of impurities; to cleanse..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To clean thoroughly; to rid of impurities; to cleanse.
2. (transitive) To remove by cleansing; to wash away.
3. (transitive) To free from sin, guilt, or burden.
4. (transitive, intransitive, medicine) To evacuate (the bowels or the stomach); to defecate or vomit.
5. (transitive, medicine) To cause someone to purge; to operate (on somebody) using a cathartic or emetic, or in a similar manner.
6. (transitive) To forcibly remove, for example, from political activity.
7. (transitive) To forcibly remove people by an organization.
8. (transitive, law) To clear of a charge, suspicion, or imputation.

Example Sentences

After the process, the machine purges the chamber before venting it to remove toxic gases.

Purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.

We'll join our cares to purge away / Our country’s crimes.

"What did they die of?” I asked. / "Fevers. The doctor came and bled them and purged them, but they still died." / "He bled and purged babies?" / "They were two and three. He said it would break the fever. And it did. But they … they died anyway."

Deng Xiaoping was purged twice during the Cultural Revolution, but managed to return to power after Mao's death.

Cromwell had Colonel Pride purge Parliament of royalists who opposed Charles I's execution.

Late triumphs of Russian science are scaring the very dogwater out of large elements in our society, and we both fear more "purging" instead of more effort at catching up.

Differin is purging my skin.

Word Forms

• purges
• purging
• purged

Synonyms for purge

Antonyms for purge

Related Words

When Should You Use Purge?

Use purge when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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