purge

[purj]

verb (used with object)

purged, purging 

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 orfrom ).

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

3. to remove by cleansing or purifying (often followed by away, off, orout ).

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, purging 

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

Other Word Forms

• purger noun
• purgeable adjective
• unpurgeable adjective
• unpurged 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 recent purge of several high-level members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sent shock waves through the political establishment.

From Salon

Critics describe the reshuffling as a political purge rather than a legitimate enforcement initiative.

From Salon

We have got used to Amorim speaking from the heart and, in explaining why he said what he did at Grimsby, it was as though he was purging himself.

From BBC

His push to reinstate “Schedule F” to purge civil servants, his politicization of the Justice Department, his constant attacks on journalists are strategies he has borrowed from his authoritarian ‘friends.’

From Salon

That order called for a purge of “divisive narratives that distort our shared history” from the quasi-independent museums.

From Salon

Related Words

• abolish 
• absolve 
• cleanse 
• dismiss 
• eradicate 
• erase 
• exonerate 
• expel 
• expunge 
• exterminate 
• forgive 
• liquidate 
• oust 
• prevent 
• remove 
• wipe out