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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Recent Examples of purist
The senatorial careers of these two statesmen illustrate — and clarify — the distinct contributions of intellectuals, purists and thought leaders on one hand and pragmatists, consensus builders and dealmakers on the other.
—
John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
The fabrics preserve the authenticity, texture, and depth that denim purists value, while being reengineered for modern wearability.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
The steamy trailer, featuring a soundtrack by Charli xcx, has swooning fans and literature purists polarized.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Hiking purists must endure around 300 miles of road walks, but Greg chose to chart his own course.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purist
John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026
The fabrics preserve the authenticity, texture, and depth that denim purists value, while being reengineered for modern wearability.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 26 Jan. 2026
The steamy trailer, featuring a soundtrack by Charli xcx, has swooning fans and literature purists polarized.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 24 Jan. 2026
Hiking purists must endure around 300 miles of road walks, but Greg chose to chart his own course.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for purist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purist
Noun
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But the crowds of pastry fanatics and Maxime Frédéric fans descend on the weekends.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Feb. 2026
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Veloso is, without a doubt, a football fanatic.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Little has been accomplished, and Labour’s woes seem likely to benefit the Reform Party, a new nationalist, populist outfit led by the Brexit instigator Nigel Farage.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
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And also to warn about bloodshed if civil war follows regime change, bloodshed between nationalists and those who’ve had enough of being tied to a constantly unstable country.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purist. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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