purist

noun

pur·​ist ˈpyu̇r-ist How to pronounce purist (audio)
Synonyms of puristnext
: a person who adheres strictly and often excessively to a tradition
especially : one preoccupied with the purity of a language and its protection from the use of foreign or altered forms
puristic
pyu̇-ˈri-stik How to pronounce purist (audio)
adjective
puristically
pyu̇-ˈri-sti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce purist (audio)
adverb

Examples of purist in a Sentence

a purist who only drinks European wines
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Some purists, who seemed content to classify what was essentially rock music from men as country but not Morris’s interpretation of the genre, were perturbed. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 3 Sep. 2026 Playing the part largely for laughs, Moore actually has more in common with Lazenby than Connery; his Bond is softer and sillier than the original, an approach Moore would double down on in later films — often to the chagrin of Bond purists. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026 Fashioned to resemble the look and feel of the sneaker’s early 2000s-era build, the style has been largely met with acclaim from purists. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 1 Sep. 2026 The final chip set is for purists, with the robo-dog, Rush, acting as a springboard to give Mega Man extra height on his jump. — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for purist

Word History

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of purist was in 1699

Rhymes for purist

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Purist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purist. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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