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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 Over the years, the coin's size and composition changed, moving from pure copper to a copper-zinc blend. Alia Shoaib, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025 What’s actually the most interesting thing is to go the opposite route and go pure banal. Katcy Stephan, Variety, 23 May 2025 When the Knicks win, there is pure joy, some untoward words, and a waft of weed. Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 22 May 2025 Transform any rejection into pure business motivation and wins. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for pure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pure
Adjective
  • The plain version of the chips got a high score, while the other, with a tequila lime flavoring, scored poorly.
    Maria Godoy, NPR, 26 May 2025
  • To critics, the obvious answer would be ego, stubbornness or just plain stupidity.
    Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • Relax like a tech mogul Ambergris Cay’s 17 beachfront bungalows are immaculate, 1,600-square-foot spaces with sitting areas, shiny gold-tiled showers, private plunge pools and spotless Wi-Fi for any Zoom calls that couldn’t get rescheduled after your trip.
    DeMarco Williams, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • The film's somber romanticism grounds the immaculate airborne action with a rich emotional core, paving the way for overwhelming catharsis at the conclusion.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • The soap is said to smell like Sweeney’s childhood homeland, the Pacific Northwest, so anyone who has a warm and innocent association with that area’s pine, Douglas fir and earthy moss essence is likely to have that completely ruined.
    Christie D’Zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2025
  • Al Nassr When a YouTuber named Abu Omar dared to do an innocent impression of supervillain Lionel Messi at the home of Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr gave a calm and measured response.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 30 May 2025
Adjective
  • Most advice about LinkedIn growth focuses on sheer numbers.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Some of music’s biggest names (and harshest critics) have marveled at the sheer range of Darin’s work, which spanned everything from jazz, swing and pop to folk and country.
    Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Formentera, because of its isolation, was one of the few places that escaped the blight, and varieties like Monastrell remain unadulterated to this day.
    Julia Chaplin, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2025
  • For those who just love the pure, unadulterated sensation of scrolling on their TV, however, there’s still YouTube. Related Will Your Favorite Streaming Service Crack Down on Password Sharing?
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • In Zone 6, chaste tree will die back to the ground in the winter and vigorously regrow in spring to a 5 or 6-foot shrub.
    Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 28 May 2025
  • Our Lady was chaste, willingly, willfully passive, untainted by the grottiness of ordinary life.
    Lamorna Ash, The Dial, 6 May 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
  • Both Merz and Zelensky criticized the Kremlin’s effective rejection of an unconditional ceasefire proposed by the U.S., which Kyiv accepted.
    Stefanie Dazio, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025
  • President Donald Trump on Monday granted an unconditional pardon to a Virginia sheriff who had been convicted of federal bribery charges and sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
    Stacey Dec, ABC News, 26 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pure. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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