PURIST Synonyms: 15 Similar and Opposite Words

purist

noun

Definition of purist

as in fanatic

a person who has very strong ideas about what is correct or acceptable and who usually opposes changes to traditional methods and practices a new style of play that offended the sport's purists a language purist who is always looking to correct the speech of others

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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 purist The team hired a search firm and the biggest thing that the franchise wanted was a basketball purist who aligned with the core values of the organization. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 Among Steinbeck purists, giving Cathy a trauma backstory has proven a controversial move — one that just might turn the story’s main moral on its head. — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026 Baseball purists might brace their eyes at the 2026 White Sox. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026 Historical revisionism over the decades since has popularized the Raptors nickname, but purists still consider this Air Jordan 7 colorway to be the Playoffs style. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for purist

Recent Examples of Synonyms for purist

Noun

While Musk fanatics expressed their excitement on social media, the Roadster isn't likely to have any material financial impact on the company.

— Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Matthieu Blazy’s offering of 83 different shoes styles on the Chanel runway is a fashion fanatic’s dream.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of fanatic

Noun

While many Hindus worship Rama, Sita and Hanuman as deities, Hindu nationalists have also presented Rama as a historical figure – the legendary ruler of the ancient kingdom of Ayodhya.

— Sohini Sarah Pillai, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
As Haitians on both sides of the island took sides, Dominican authorities demanded an apology, nationalists denounced the statement as an affront to Dominican sovereignty, and Haiti’s foreign ministry distanced the government from it.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of nationalist

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purifying

purist

purists

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“Purist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purist. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of purist

noun

Example Sentences

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