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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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 Dozens of countries’ names were misspelled or written in pure gibberish. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2026 Los Angeles tends to reserve its backup spots for players who can move inside and outside and provide depth in multiple spots, which isn’t Bailey’s style as a pure edge player. — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 In addition, the short-half-life isotopes tend to get discarded by the process, and there's also the need to keep the streams of pure plutonium from concentrating, or things could get very nasty. — David Szondy august 22, New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026 Given he was reared in La Masia, any sale of the 22-year-old will represent pure profit for the Catalans, who in the past few days permanently signed the man that kept him out of Hansi Flick’s first XI last season in Joao Cancelo. — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pure

Adjective

As of Tuesday morning, those two clubs remained in the top four English spenders on a net basis this summer, but the reasons are plain.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Every project should publish a plain-English fact sheet before approval.

— Mark Drapeau, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of plain

Adjective

His summer project with the Boardwalk is all about nurturing diplomatic relations between the US and Italy by playing the role of approachable host on the immaculate floating mansion.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
The vibe here is immaculate, incredibly unique, and simply put, warm.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of immaculate

Adjective

The facts of his biography, no matter how outrageous, could not possibly explain the sheer derangement of his output.

— Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
This means investor scrutiny will extend beyond the sheer scale of AI investment to encompass debt burdens, capital costs, and return timelines.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of sheer

Adjective

Yes, violence and mistreatment of women should be called out and women and girls should be protected, but these decisions and statements are just pure, unadulterated corporate virtue signaling.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026
But in the common vernacular of what neurosis means—someone whose life is put upon them, who feels weighted by the everyday, who struggles with unadulterated joy—that is me in a nutshell.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of unadulterated

Adjective

The capitulation of Germany is at hand, the Third Reich's unconditional surrender just days away.

— Danielle Parker, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Despite his resolve to be gentler and kinder than Cotton, Hank still struggles to articulate his unconditional love to his son, Bobby.

— Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of unconditional

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“Pure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pure. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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