PURE Synonyms: 227 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'pure' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of pure are chaste , decent , and modest . While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions. // the pure of heart

Q: In what contexts can 'chaste' take the place of 'pure'?

Although the words chaste and pure have much in common, chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows. // they maintained chaste relations

Q: How are the words 'modest' and 'decent' related as synonyms of 'pure'?

Both modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity. // preferred more modest swimsuits // decent people didn't go to such movies

pure

adjective

ˈpyu̇r

Definition of pure next

as in plain

free from added matter There is a big difference between pure maple syrup and pancake syrup made with other ingredients. the solution must be kept pure for the experiment to work

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as in immaculate

free from any trace of the coarse or indecent the humor in the movie is as pure and wholesome as any parent could wish

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as in innocent

free from sin in one beatitude those who are pure in heart are promised the sight of God

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as in sheer

having no exceptions or restrictions that story is pure nonsense

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How is the word pure distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of pure are chaste, decent, and modest. While all these words mean "free from all taint of what is lewd or salacious," pure differs from chaste in implying innocence and absence of temptation rather than control of one's impulses and actions.

the pure of heart

In what contexts can chaste take the place of pure?

Although the words chaste and pure have much in common, chaste primarily implies a refraining from acts or even thoughts or desires that are not virginal or not sanctioned by marriage vows.

they maintained chaste relations

How are the words modest and decent related as synonyms of pure?

Both modest and decent apply especially to deportment and dress as outward signs of inward chastity or purity.

preferred more modest swimsuits

decent people didn't go to such movies

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of pure When, in the end, Bill removes an abused girl from the convent and walks her through town for all to see, back to his home, it isn’t played as some triumphant moment, but as an act of pure humanity. —

Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2024 And there definitely was a party element to the occasion, with guests moving to the sounds of the DJ, performing line dances with pure joy. —

Curtis Bunn, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024 But scientists didn’t figure out how to isolate, extract, and ingest pure DMT on its own until 1956, which branched the drug off from ayahuasca into its own history. —

Oshan Jarow, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024 Both scenes imply that the Middle East is a place where violence is to be expected but Europe should be peaceful and pure. —

Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pure

Adjective

That's a sandwich of plain white bread with beef sausage and ketchup.

Claire Reilly, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024
To make yogurt bark, mix 2 cups of plain whole or 2% Greek yogurt with 2 tablespoons of a sweetener, like maple syrup or honey, until smooth.

Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Nov. 2024