purge

About 2.19 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To clean thoroughly; to rid of impurities; to cleanse; to clear of (something unwanted).

   After the process, the machine purges the chamber before venting it to remove toxic gases.

2. verb To remove by cleansing; to wash away.
3. verb To free from sin, guilt, or burden.
4. verb To evacuate (the bowels or the stomach); to defecate or vomit.
5. verb To cause someone to purge; to operate (on somebody) using a cathartic or emetic, or in a similar manner.
6. verb To forcibly remove, for example, from political activity.

   Deng Xiaoping was purged twice during the Cultural Revolution, but managed to return to power after Mao's death.

7. verb To forcibly remove people by an organization.

   Cromwell had Colonel Pride purge Parliament of royalists who opposed Charles I's execution.

8. verb To clear of a charge, suspicion, or imputation.

Similar words

purgation lustration cleanse cleansing purification depuration refine venting flushing scrubbing

Often followed by

of the and his himself in it was themselves

Word family

purged purger purgers purges purging