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Synonym Chooser

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

Example 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 This match was pure spectacle, with stars from multiple different eras coming out to aid the American Nightmare. John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Apr. 2025 Snack: protein shake made with Greek yoghurt, oat flakes, pure cocoa, ground almonds, and ice. Ana Morales, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2025 As a pure runner, though, Giddens is impressive, showing off great speed and vision. Steve Bradshaw, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025 The heartbreak is immense, but as Ellie so perfectly pointed out, the Winnie-Bubba reunion had to be pure magic. Karen Fratti, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pure
Adjective
  • Or skip the color entirely and let your designs pop off plain, undyed eggs.
    Kathy Barnes, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The plain white court shoes have a low profile, featuring a traditional lace-up design, durable rubber outsoles, slim toe boxes, and a wide range of sizes from 5 to 11 (including half sizes).
    Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Despite the vulnerability of the first line of their press, the team’s ability to drop and press backwards is immaculate.
    Ahmed Walid, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The balance between vulnerability and the role of the DJ – bringing immaculate tunes and vibes – is a unique demand.
    Thomas Smith, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • That innocent people are disappearing into El Salvador’s prisons is no secret—making the embrace of Bukele a disturbing signal of just how far a strongman can go without losing political ground.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
  • His innocent questions were always softened by stoner jokes.
    Peter Bart, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But sheer athleticism won’t turn him into a celebrity, and his demeanor doesn’t endear him to people—Majors plays Maddox as a sullen and tightly wound outcast whose environment shapes his isolation.
    Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2025
  • But the sheer volume of options in our modern world—especially in digital spheres such as online shopping, streaming services and mobile applications—can overcome the satisfaction of making these choices.
    Uriel Maslansky, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The answer, of course, isn’t as simple as actual, unadulterated happiness.
    Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Unlike many of its competitors, Sir Kensington’s vegan mayo also includes flavorings like rosemary extract, mustard extract, lemon oil, citric acid, and black pepper—which means the final product has distinct black specks, while most others are an unadulterated eggshell in color.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Some medieval and Renaissance artists, for example, portrayed Mary breast-feeding the infant Jesus at a chaste distance, such that the milk spurts of its own accord into his mouth.
    S. C. Cornell, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Hellbent on destroying the pure, chaste and overly self-righteous preacher who denied her satisfaction, Salome performs a seductive dance at her stepfather Herod’s birthday feast.
    E.R. Zarevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • More white people claim the credit than Black people certainly.
    Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023
  • The only racial group that saw a decrease in suicide rates across age cohorts was non-Hispanic white people.
    Ellen Barry, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Feb. 2023
Adjective
  • While Ukraine agreed to all U.S. proposals for an unconditional ceasefire and subsequently agreed to plans for a smaller-scale maritime ceasefire, the Russians laid out last week a series of new demands, including the lifting of some U.S. sanctions.
    Barak Ravid, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025
  • The themes of the game were unconditional love and revenge, which is in line with the series as well.
    Vivian Kwarm, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pure. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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