as in cleansing
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1
as in purging
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially
Catholics go to confession to be purified
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in filtering
to remove usually visible impurities from
purify the water by distillation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of purifying
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
While some cleansers strip skin of moisture while purifying pores and removing dirt and oil, this one does the opposite, according to shoppers.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
The brand is debuting Fango Purificante, a purifying mud mask for face and body, which will retail starting Monday for $56 on the brand’s website.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 13 Apr. 2026
Last year, Moroccanoil, a brand used by Demi Moore and other celebs, debuted the scalp tonic as part of its Moroccanoil Scalp Care System that also includes a purifying scrub, balancing shampoo, and a conditioner.
—Cathy Nelson, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
Without needing batteries or wires, the Moso Natural air-purifying bag attracts particles out of the air like a magnet, and continuously works to remove odors and harmful pollutants from your home, filled with just one powerful ingredient -- moso bamboo charcoal.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
In a nutshell, wastewater recycling works by first physically filtering the water, then subjecting it to reverse osmosis, and finally purifying it with ultraviolet light.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 25 Feb. 2026
When taken together in the evening, extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice are said to act synergistically to create a gently purifying antioxidant blend.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026
Crews continue to work in the crash site around Grade Lane, just south of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, hauling away contaminated soil, purifying water and repairing roadways.
—Stephanie Stremplewski, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Jan. 2026
Verb
Flameless induction cooking ranges, waste management and composting, oil purifying machines—all part of a large attempt to make luxury a little less wasteful.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
While some cleansers strip skin of moisture while purifying pores and removing dirt and oil, this one does the opposite, according to shoppers.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
The brand is debuting Fango Purificante, a purifying mud mask for face and body, which will retail starting Monday for $56 on the brand’s website.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 13 Apr. 2026
Last year, Moroccanoil, a brand used by Demi Moore and other celebs, debuted the scalp tonic as part of its Moroccanoil Scalp Care System that also includes a purifying scrub, balancing shampoo, and a conditioner.
—Cathy Nelson, InStyle, 3 Apr. 2026
Without needing batteries or wires, the Moso Natural air-purifying bag attracts particles out of the air like a magnet, and continuously works to remove odors and harmful pollutants from your home, filled with just one powerful ingredient -- moso bamboo charcoal.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2026
In a nutshell, wastewater recycling works by first physically filtering the water, then subjecting it to reverse osmosis, and finally purifying it with ultraviolet light.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 25 Feb. 2026
When taken together in the evening, extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice are said to act synergistically to create a gently purifying antioxidant blend.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 29 Jan. 2026
Crews continue to work in the crash site around Grade Lane, just south of Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, hauling away contaminated soil, purifying water and repairing roadways.
—Stephanie Stremplewski, Louisville Courier Journal, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purifying
Adjective
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To use the bestseller, distribute three pumps over the face and neck daily, post-cleansing, and start savoring its impressive effects after a couple of months of consistent application.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
26 Dec. 2025
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Mario Badescu’s no-frills formula refines pores and soothes skin post-cleansing with witch hazel and rose water.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
18 Nov. 2025
Verb
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One or more of the agencies compiling these lists — the Illinois State Board of Elections, the Secretary of State, and the Illinois Department of Employment Security, evidently is not purging dead people from its lists, Mertes said.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
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While purging senior military leaders, Xi has grown and modernized China’s army, navy, and air force; improved its cyberwarfare; and upgraded its nuclear arsenal.—
Michael Sheridan,
Vanity Fair,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Shade cloths also reduce evaporation for plants that get stressed in hot, sunny climates by filtering about half the sunlight.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In the second phase, nine women were eligible for multiple filtering cycles.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That’s why the Pistons’ 30-3 run to start the third quarter must have been so cathartic for Pistons fans.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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The result is an album of cathartic sounds where Icona Pop brazenly shed the past.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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According to Simpkins, the attorney for the BOE, the department will immediately implement several changes in response to the results of the audit — including clarifying the process for an appeal and notifying taxpayers of their rights and deadlines in a timely manner.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
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Further clarifying questions from legislators and other interested parties are welcome.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Many stepwells were used for ablution; the tanks associated with mosques, Hindu temples and other shrines offered the most purificatory form. Summoning water from the depths was also a symbol of temporal power.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
13 July 2019
Verb
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Ending the risk The team will first scale successful technologies, such as mobile inspection platforms and robotic arms, by refining them in Oxford’s labs before full-scale deployment.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
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For gardeners refining their craft after years of practice, the value in revisiting these basics is not in learning them for the first time.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Violators could be ticketed similar to a non-moving violation for a driver.—
Jim Turner,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
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Each wrong turn is bittersweet, making the eventual reunion even more moving and meaningful.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purifying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purifying. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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