PURE Synonyms: 227 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

pure

adjective

ˈpyu̇r

Definition of pure

as in plain

free from added matter There is a big difference between pure maple syrup and pancake syrup made with other ingredients. the solution must be kept pure for the experiment to work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in immaculate

free from any trace of the coarse or indecent the humor in the movie is as pure and wholesome as any parent could wish

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as in innocent

free from sin in one beatitude those who are pure in heart are promised the sight of God

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as in sheer

having no exceptions or restrictions that story is pure nonsense

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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 But when Riley left for Clemson, TCU brought in Kendal Briles from Arkansas to run more of a pure Air Raid style offense. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026 The knits are made from all natural fibers — pure new wool, supersoft lambswool, merino and alpaca. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026 The company's wildly profitable core advertising business gives Meta Superintelligence Labs (MSL) — the company's AI division formed in 2025 and led by Alexandr Wang — a structural advantage versus pure-play AI labs like Anthropic and OpenAI. — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 In Italian, malinconia evokes a softer, more nostalgic feeling than pure sadness, an appropriate descriptor as the room evokes the good days of the analogue era. — Jaclyn Degiorgio, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pure

Adjective

On the fall 2026 runways, romantic clothes arrived styled like everything else in your closet—a lace skirt with a cotton shirt, a gown with a combat boot, a ruffled collar over plain velvet trousers—and the shift is visible on the street too.

— Laurence Goldberg, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026
Refrigerated tortellini is one of the fastest ways to turn plain broth into a satiating, delicious meal.

— Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of plain

Adjective

The tracks, the engineers, the data, the media attention, the sheer amount of racing—the Formula 1 World Championship consists of twenty-plus races, on five continents, in nine months.

— Sam Knight, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
The silhouette was mostly formfitting and streamlined, with emphasis at the hips and waist and a continuation of the contrasting sheer, black fabric running down the column skirt.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of sheer

Adjective

The basic model of competitive markets which one finds in an introductory economics textbook—where independent firms engage in cold arm’s-length transactions motivated by unadulterated self-interest—does not apply to the industry.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Few social situations encourage or even allow unadulterated loopiness.

— Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of unadulterated

Adjective

Police and the El Paso, Texas, branch of the NAACP are condemning a group of people, possibly including youths, who were shown wearing Ku Klux Klan-style white robes and hoods in viral social media videos.

— Dennis Romero, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
Appointments typically start with a consultation and a review of TMJ history, followed by cleaning the jawline, mapping injection points with a white eyeliner pencil and placing botulinum toxin into the muscle with very thin needles.

— Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of white

Adjective

Here, the defining aspect of Benjamin Button’s strange existence is love — lucky, steady, unconditional.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
In 2024, Michigan State launched Rx Kids, the country’s first universal and unconditional prenatal and infant cash program.

— Mona Hanna, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of unconditional

Cite this Entry

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“Pure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pure. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pure

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