1
as in inferno
a temporary place or state in which the souls of people who die make amends for their sins
It was a summer job that felt like purgatory to the teen.
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2
as in nightmare
a place or state of temporary suffering
We found ourselves trapped in the purgatory of a rush-hour traffic jam.
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Recent Examples of purgatory
This one-skillet shrimp dish is inspired by eggs in purgatory.
—
Emmett Lindner, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
For those who have remained in the neighborhood during this long period of purgatory, it’s been cause for concern.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2025
This leaves everything in a state of judicial purgatory, at least until something more solid comes from the bench.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2025
Nearly the entire workforce of the CFPB was put on administrative leave as a way of sticking that agency Republicans love to hate in purgatory.
—Varad Mehta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purgatory
Emmett Lindner, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2025
For those who have remained in the neighborhood during this long period of purgatory, it’s been cause for concern.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2025
This leaves everything in a state of judicial purgatory, at least until something more solid comes from the bench.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 25 Feb. 2025
Nearly the entire workforce of the CFPB was put on administrative leave as a way of sticking that agency Republicans love to hate in purgatory.
—Varad Mehta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for purgatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purgatory
Noun
-
Gigantic yacht scorched by inferno outside Miami strip club.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2025
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The lines takes on a fresh resonance in the wake of January’s infernos.—
Stephen Humphries,
The Christian Science Monitor,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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At his best, Hopkins is a mismatch nightmare at the four who can slash and finish at the rim with physicality, make plays for his teammates and defend with toughness.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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Some important breaking news: Britain’s long ninja-nal nightmare is finally over.—
Jeffrey Blehar,
National Review,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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But the film comes into its own at almost exactly an hour, as The Man begins the ritual and The Surrender threatens to go full occult gonzo, complete with a charmed circle and a bleak netherworld resembling Lucio Fulci’s 1981 splatter epic The Beyond.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
9 Mar. 2025
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Great vacations exist in a temporal netherworld, unmoored from the reality of daily life.—
Sofia Perez,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Another video showed a woman wailing in agony over one of the victims.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA TODAY,
22 Mar. 2025
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On a nation’s struggle and agony; the nature of democracy; Trump vs. Canada; and more On Monday, next to the Hudson River in New York, there was a demonstration.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Levon must pose as a drug dealer and infiltrate himself into this Chicago underworld populated by numerous stereotypical Russian Mafia types led by crime lord Wolo Kolisnyk (Jason Flemyng), and featuring his loose cannon son Dimi (Maximilian Osinski).—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
26 Mar. 2025
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The problem’s in the criminal underworld for people who are not recognised as being from a specific community.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Then, Democrats have to be thinking about what happens if Republicans only have a mild case of the midterm curse.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
14 Mar. 2025
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Flubber can do anything, which is both a blessing and a curse for Professor Brainard.—
Kara Nesvig,
Parents,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Good intentions pave the road to hell, and all that jazz.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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Season 2 has built on these relatable themes, introducing race as a key factor within the creepy, hollow corporate hell that is Lumon.—
Banseka Kayembe,
refinery29.com,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The duration of that ordeal is utterly unpredictable.—
Joshua Stein,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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With rich archival footage and powerful testimonies, the film highlights not only the personal ordeal of an activist, but also the tenacious struggle of Native Americans for justice, freedom and restoration of historical truth.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purgatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purgatory. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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