Synonyms for

Purge

Verb / pɜ:dʒ / Another word for purge — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

To rid of whatever is impure or undesirable; cleanse; purify

Synonyms & similar words

purify disgorge cat puke regorge scour regurgitate retch rehabilitate purgation upchuck honk spew barf sanctify sick spue cast purging chuck vomit flush cleanse purify eliminate remove expel eradicate clear flush evacuate eject decontaminate sanitize sterilize disinfect scour launder rid banish

Synonyms by register

Formal

eliminate eradicate exterminate remove

Informal

clean out get rid of chuck out weed out

Literary

cleansing purification expiation

Antonyms

cleanse purify sanctify consecrate bless baptize

Common collocations

  • purge the system
  • purge the memory
  • purge the list
  • purge the database
  • purge the files
  • purge the records
  • purge the party

Word family

noun purge
verb purge
adjective purging

Usage note

Often used in contexts of political or social cleansing, or to remove unwanted elements from a system or list. Can carry a strong negative connotation when referring to political purges.

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Example sentences

  1. The doctor advised him to purge his body of all impurities by drinking a lot of fluids.
  2. She purged all the toxic people from her life.
  3. He decided to purge his room of all the clutter and donate the unwanted items to charity.
  4. The company decided to purge all their old files and start fresh.
  5. The government decided to purge all the corrupt officials from their positions.

Quotes

  • The old order is dying, and the new one struggles to be born: now is the time of monsters. - Antonio Gramsci
  • The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it. - Oscar Wilde
  • The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it. - Albert Einstein

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