v. 1 cleanse, purify, clean (out), clear, scour (out), depurate, deterge, wash (out) The tanks must be purged before filling them with the new fuel 2 eject, eradicate, expel, eliminate, get rid of, dismiss, clear out or away, sweep away or out, oust, remove, rout out, weed out, root out; do away with, exterminate, liquidate, kill, destroy After the coup, the old guard was purged from all the governmental agencies The rebels purged the entire council of elders. 3 clear, exonerate, absolve, forgive, purify, pardon, exculpate He was given every opportunity to purge himself of the charge of contempt of court
n. 4 ejection, eradication, expulsion, elimination, dismissal, clearing out or away, ousting, ouster, removal, routing out, weeding out, rooting out, unseating; defenestration; extermination, liquidation, killing, murder, slaughter The bloody purge of dissidents was carried out by the secret police 5 See purgative, 1, above.