PURISTS Synonyms: 15 Similar and Opposite Words

purists

noun

plural of purist

as in fanatics

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 purists What began as a few purists chasing a vibe became an ingredient an entire industry pays extra for. — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026 This gift box contains eight bars, spanning from 58 to 80% cacao, in flavors like banana foster and green tea crunch for the adventurous and pink sea salt or pure cacao, dates, and vanilla for the purists. — Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026 Greene purists, as well as the author himself, bristled at the way Gere’s casting transformed the story, but as pure drama the movie is riveting — and a fascinating case study in just how much a star persona can affect a film. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2026 Some purists will lament the incursion of more technology and specific rules governing where fielders are allowed to stand. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 13 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 The addition of warm comfort foods like karaage chicken and beef curry udon noodles might make some purists raise an eyebrow, but that’s exactly what makes Somenya so appealing. — Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for purists

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
NBCUniversal‘s Peacock is rolling out up a new way to try to get Bravo fanatics even more engaged in the network’s galaxy of reality programming drama and dish-worthy moments.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of fanatics

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 nationalists

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purist

purists

puritan

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

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Synonyms of purists

noun

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