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Purge: meaning, definitions and examples

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purge

 

[ pəːdʒ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

to eliminate

To remove people or things from an organization because you consider them to be unnecessary or unhelpful.

Synonyms

clear out, eliminate, remove, rid

Examples of usage

  • The company decided to purge all non-essential staff to cut costs.
  • The dictator purged all opposition leaders to maintain control.
Context #2 | Noun

a violent removal

An abrupt or violent removal of a group of people from an organization or place.

Synonyms

cleansing, expulsion, purification

Examples of usage

  • The purge of dissidents from the party was swift and brutal.
  • The ethnic purge led to mass displacement of civilians.

Translations

Translations of the word "purge" in other languages:

🇵🇹 purgar

🇮🇳 शुद्ध करना (shuddh karna)

🇩🇪 reinigen

🇮🇩 membersihkan

🇺🇦 очищати

🇵🇱 oczyszczać

🇯🇵 清める (kiyomeru)

🇫🇷 purger

🇪🇸 purgar

🇹🇷 temizlemek

🇰🇷 정화하다 (jeonghwahada)

🇸🇦 تطهير (tatheer)

🇨🇿 očistit

🇸🇰 očistiť

🇨🇳 清除 (qīngchú)

🇸🇮 očistiti

🇮🇸 hreinsa

🇰🇿 тазалау (tazalau)

🇬🇪 გაწმენდა (gatsmenda)

🇦🇿 təmizləmək

🇲🇽 purgar

Etymology

The word 'purge' originates from the Latin word 'purgare', meaning 'to cleanse'. It was first used in English in the late 14th century with the sense of 'to purify or cleanse'. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the idea of removal or elimination, particularly in a forceful or violent manner. The term has been commonly used in political contexts to describe the removal of individuals or groups deemed undesirable or disloyal.

See also: purging.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,628, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.