WordLens

purge

1 of 2verb
/pɜrʤ/
Forms:purges,purging,purged,purged
1

to expel waste or contents from the body through defecation or vomiting

  • After eating spoiled food, he began to purge violently.
  • The patient purged for hours due to the stomach virus.
  • The medicine caused her to purge as part of the cleansing process.
  • The animal purged after ingesting the toxic plant.
  • During the detox, many participants purged as their bodies adjusted.
Synonyms:
be sickregorgespewspuevomitchucksickvomit updisgorgecatregurgitateupchuckhonkbarfpukeretchthrow upcast
Antonyms:
keep down
2

to eliminate impurities or unwanted elements

transitive
  • Fasting is believed to help purge the body of toxins and impurities.
  • The newly installed air purification system effectively purges pollutants and allergens from the indoor air.
  • A cleanse diet is designed to help purge the digestive system of impurities.
  • Rituals and ceremonies are often performed to purge negative energy from a space.
  • The organization implemented new measures to purge corruption from its ranks.
3

to remove individuals or groups from a nation, political party, or organization

transitive
  • The new leader purged the political party of members who opposed his policies.
  • They purged the organization of anyone associated with the previous administration.
  • The ruling faction purged the cabinet of members who voiced disagreement.
  • The regime purged its opponents to consolidate power.
  • The administration conducted a campaign to purge corrupt officials from the system.
Antonyms:
rehabilitate
4

to empty the bowels or stomach by natural or induced means

transitive
  • The patient was given medicine to purge their stomach after food poisoning.
  • The doctor recommended a laxative to help purge the bowels.
  • The cleansing diet was designed to gently purge the stomach over a few days.
  • The surgeon ordered the patient to purge their bowels before the procedure.
  • She used a natural remedy to purge her stomach of any leftover bacteria.
5

to get rid of something unwanted by thoroughly cleaning or washing it away

transitive
  • The heavy rain helped purge the streets of dirt and debris.
  • The temple was purged with sacred water before the ceremony began.
  • The ritual required purging the body with herbal baths.
  • The floodwaters purged the riverbanks of accumulated trash.
  • The team purged the lab equipment with sterilizing agents before use.
Synonyms:
scourflush
6

to remove guilt or moral burden from someone

transitive
  • The ritual was performed to purge the community of their collective wrongdoings.
  • She wrote a heartfelt apology to purge her conscience of regret.
  • The ceremony was meant to purge their souls and bring spiritual peace.
  • He sought forgiveness as a way to purge his heart of lingering shame.
  • The priest offered a prayer to purge the congregation of their sins.
Synonyms:
sanctifypurify
7

to remove accusations, suspicions, or negative associations from someone or something

transitive
  • The thorough review purged the team of any allegations of misconduct.
  • Witness testimony was crucial to purging the defendant of any blame.
  • His alibi helped purge him of suspicion during the police inquiry.
  • The investigation purged the company of wrongdoing in the financial scandal.
  • The evidence presented in court purged him of all charges.