purging

[ pur-jing ]

adjective

1. having a clearing, emptying, or purifying effect:

   Her fears of death have passed like a cloud, absorbed in the purging sunlight of clear poetry.

2. having to do with deliberate or induced vomiting or evacuation of the bowels: These purging drugs have an excellent safety record.

   Many physical conditions result from the purging aspect of bulimia, including electrolyte imbalances, gastrointestinal problems, and dental issues.

   These purging drugs have an excellent safety record.

noun

1. the action of clearing, emptying, or purifying:

   It may require a lot of focused work involving the purging of old habits and harsh self-judgment.

   The drugs have been used clinically in the purging of T-cells or tumor cells from bone marrow before transplantation.

2. the act of removing or expelling people who are considered disloyal or otherwise unwanted from an organization, political party, nation, etc.:

   The judge has granted a temporary injunction stopping the purging of voter registration rolls.

   The rebels’ key negotiating point was the purging of the armed forces as a first condition.

3. deliberate or induced vomiting or evacuation of the bowels: The medication affects the salivary glands, tear ducts, intestines, and bowels, and can cause violent purging.

   Binge eating can also occur on its own without the purging that occurs with bulimia.

   The medication affects the salivary glands, tear ducts, intestines, and bowels, and can cause violent purging.

Word History and Origins

Origin of purging¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; purg(e) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses; purg(e) ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

Hegseth, the Fox News host who could become Defense secretary, has proposed purging military officers he sees as too committed to diversity, including Gen. C.Q.

From Los Angeles Times

Trump learned the wrong lesson from that, which is that he's not focused enough on purging the party.

From Salon

The creation of such a panel, if it came to fruition, would facilitate the purging of military leaders who were unwilling to carry out presidential orders — or those relayed by a loyal subordinate.

From Los Angeles Times

Hegseth has already advocated purging the military of top officials, such as Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Charles Q. Brown — or anyone who has advocated for diversity and inclusion programs.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s something she’s touched on in her music before, in 2012’s Electra Heart, on track Teen Idle, she alludes to being bulimic, with mentions of purging.

From BBC