: the removal of elements or members regarded as undesirable and especially as treacherous or disloyal
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In some cultures, a ritual bath or prayer is performed to purge guilt or evil spirits. The Minoans of ancient Crete may have used human sacrifice as a way of purging the entire community, which is fine for the community but rough on the victims. In many cultures, people periodically purge themselves physically—that is, clean out their digestive tracts—by taking strong laxatives; this used to be a popular springtime ritual, and herbal purgatives were readily available.
Verb High-ranking officials were purged from the company following the merger. a day on which the faithful are expected to purge themselves of their sins through prayer and fasting
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
For as long as there has been art, artists have sought to depict astounding things and thus purge them from their troubled minds. Sam Thielman, The New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2022 In the days after the Jan. 6 attack, Republicans alarmed by the violence, including Meijer, hoped that impeaching Trump would purge him from the party. Catie Edmondson, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Aug. 2022 Runaways, about the rebellious teenage children of a group of supervillains, debuted on Hulu right before Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige was preparing to take over Marvel’s TV operation and purge it of everything made under the previous regime. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2022 While her Mighty Thor form does not suffer from cancer, the transformation does purge her body of all toxins – including chemotherapy. Joe George, Men's Health, 8 July 2022 Why did Aaron purge many of his friends in his 70s? Terence Moore, Forbes, 16 May 2022 Be sure to clean and dry the portafilter — and to purge and wipe down the milk frothing wand, if needed — when you’re done. Nicole Papantoniou, Good Housekeeping, 12 May 2022 As the new season inspires us to purge, cleanse, and organize , here’s a deeper look at the mental health benefits of spring cleaning. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 13 Apr. 2022 Murkowski was a top target for Trump, who has made this year's midterm cycle the lynchpin of his crusade to purge the GOP of any critics. Bytal Axelrod, ABC News, 16 Aug. 2022
Noun
In this first instalment, Ethan Hawke plays a family man profiting off of his supposedly purge-proof security systems. Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 25 Aug. 2022 No utopia awaits them at the end of their purge, only more misery and a fresh round of scapegoats. Laura Jedeed, The New Republic, 9 Aug. 2022 The revolutions differ greatly, however, in the fact that the execution of Charles did not set off a violent purge of his family or supporters. Marilynne Robinson, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 While Webb was its second-ranking official, the State Department embarked on a purge of gay employees, leading to emphatic calls for NASA to rename the telescope that have gone unheeded.New York Times, 12 July 2022 Vera, who was part of the discussions, told me that the transfers were not a radical purge; the deputies moved voluntarily or were promoted.The New Yorker, 30 May 2022 There was a purge of the military then [under Stalin]. Stella Kalinina, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 May 2022 So far, eight bills have been signed into law, resulting in a purge of longtime election board members, an exodus of election staffers and the installation of Republicans who have proposed measures to reduce poll locations and cancel Sunday voting.Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2022 So far, eight bills have been signed into law, resulting in a purge of longtime election board members, an exodus of election staffers and the installation of Republicans who have proposed measures to reduce poll locations and cancel Sunday voting. Stephanie Mccrummen, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French purger, from Latin purigare, purgare to purify, purge, from purus pure + -igare (akin to agere to drive, do) — more at act