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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
  • McKenzie Ortega, Pinole Valley softball: Ortega pitched a no-hitter against St. Patrick-St. Vincent, striking out 13, tossing an immaculate inning in the second and going 2 for 4 at the plate with two singles and two walks.
    Christian Babcock, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • His innocent questions were always softened by stoner jokes.
    Peter Bart, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • 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
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
  • Seltzer: The Minimalist Seltzer is the closest thing to pure, unadulterated fizzy water.
    Emily Price, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
  • There is, in short, nothing here but unadulterated hagiography of American military might, which feels especially egregious considering the war in question and the filmmaker’s own apparent intentions.
    Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Nana, whose Korean name is Im Jina, plays the role of Hui-yeon, a widow who vows to remain chaste after losing her husband.
    Sara Merican, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Nana’s Hui-yeon adds another layer of complexity to the narrative as a widow who has vowed to remain chaste but begins to question her feelings after encountering Cho Won.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 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
  • Respondents were asked about their perceptions of aspects of the war, including the U.S. proposal for a temporary unconditional ceasefire and the termination of Washington's aid for Ukraine.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 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 16 Apr. 2025.

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