purge

[ purj ]

verb (used with object)

, purged, purg·ing.

1. to rid of whatever is impure or undesirable; cleanse; purify:

   The water was purged and then tested for purity, so it should be safe to drink.

2. to rid, clear, or free (usually followed by of or from ):

   The raid was intended to purge the political party of disloyal members.

3. to remove by cleansing or purifying (often followed by away, off, or out ).
4. to clear or empty (the stomach or bowels) by inducing vomiting or evacuation.
5. to cause evacuation of the bowels of (a person).
6. to put to death or otherwise eliminate (undesirable or unwanted members) from a political organization, government, nation, etc.

   Synonyms: extirpate, liquidate, oust

7. Computers. to delete or remove (data or the like):

   Make sure to purge all sensitive information from your phone before you sell it.

8. to clear of imputed guilt or ritual uncleanliness.
9. to clear away or wipe out legally (an offense, accusation, etc.) by atonement or other suitable action.
10. Metallurgy.
    1. to drive off (undesirable gases) from a furnace or stove.
    2. to free (a furnace or stove) of undesirable gases.

verb (used without object)

, purged, purg·ing.

1. to become cleansed or purified.
2. to clear or empty the stomach or bowels by inducing vomiting or evacuation:

   A bulimic individual who binges and purges often will experience physical changes that make stopping the cycle extremely difficult.

noun

1. the act or process of purging.
2. the removal or elimination of members of a political organization, government, nation, etc., who are considered disloyal or otherwise undesirable.
3. something that purges, as a purgative medicine or laxative.

purge

/ pɜːdʒ /

verb

1. tr to rid (something) of (impure or undesirable elements)
2. tr to rid (a state, political party, etc) of (dissident or troublesome people)
3. tr
   1. to empty (the bowels) by evacuation of faeces
   2. to cause (a person) to evacuate his bowels
4. 1. to clear (a person) of a charge
   2. to free (oneself) of guilt, as by atonement

      to purge contempt

5. intr to be cleansed or purified

noun

1. the act or process of purging
2. the elimination of opponents or dissidents from a state, political party, etc
3. a purgative drug or agent; cathartic

Derived Forms

• ˈpurger, noun

Other Words From

• purge·a·ble adjective
• purg·er noun
• un·purge·a·ble adjective
• un·purged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of purge¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (verb) Middle English purgen, from Old French purg(i)er, from Latin pūrgāre “to cleanse”; (noun) Middle English, from Old French, derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of purge¹

C14: from Old French purger, from Latin pūrgāre to purify

Example Sentences

The members alleged an ideological purge of the party, given most of them were aligned with the tea party.

From Washington Post

Facebook has confirmed in a statement to Quartz Africa that it carried out the purge because the affected individuals and groups where using the platform to manipulate voters ahead of the elections.

From Quartz

Four Xiaomi apps, including its web browser and video-calling platform, were caught in the purge and, according to Jain, a “mob mentality” on social media threatened its sales.

From Fortune

The study suggests that the melting of Alaska’s remaining glaciers into the North Pacific, though less extreme than purges of the past, could have far-ranging effects on global ocean circulation and the climate in coming centuries.

From Science News

Eligible voters have been disenfranchised in purges of voting rolls in several states.

From Fortune

“I thought my reward would be that I could purge my relationship with people in the religious community,” she says.

From The Daily Beast

After the initial, gag-inducing swallows, I waited for the purge.

From The Daily Beast

He simply happened to be in one of those sections of Red Army intelligence which in some purge or other ceased to exist.

From The Daily Beast

When Internet censors purge references to “6/4,” users substitute “May 35.”

From The Daily Beast

A friend suggested I write down everything that happened to me to help purge the images from my mind.

From The Daily Beast

And I will turn my hand to thee, and I will clean purge away thy dross, and I will take away all thy tin.

From Project Gutenberg

The Irish, according to Everards, used large quantities of snuff "to purge their brains."

From Project Gutenberg

To rule sound out of language, is, indeed, far more fatal than to purge Hamlet out of Hamlet.

From Project Gutenberg

Refine and purge our earthy parts; But, oh, inflame and fire our hearts!

From Project Gutenberg

Chum has found, however, that his particular mission in life is to purge his master's garden of all birds.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• coup
• evacuation
• expulsion
• extermination
• liquidation
• suppression