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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Recent Examples of purists
However, some purists believe that glass mirrors reflect light significantly better.
—
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
There is a new Jaguar logo, which some purists claim to hate, and a move upmarket as well, with the new flagship model likely to start at around $130,000, putting it beyond premium and into the realm of genuine luxury.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
For every cultural good, identity has become fused with the object of interest, turning previously normal people leading unremarkable lives into Steak ’n Shake beef-tallow purists, Harry Potter moralists, or cast-iron-pan-cleaning radicals.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
For today’s Welles purists, that would be the least of their concerns.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
The purists will insist that Babe Ruth is rolling in his grave, while the game’s youngest fans probably aren’t listening to them with so many other options for entertainment.
—Abbey Mastracco, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
When Barbara Walters started interviewing celebrities on her prime time specials for ABC in the 1970s, pearl-clutching journalistic purists were aghast.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
When the Mach-E hit the scene, plenty of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle purists were appalled by the idea that Ford would badge an EV as a Mustang.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
This personality transplant isn’t the only notable deviation likely to get the book’s purists up in arms.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
Bestreviews, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2026
There is a new Jaguar logo, which some purists claim to hate, and a move upmarket as well, with the new flagship model likely to start at around $130,000, putting it beyond premium and into the realm of genuine luxury.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2026
For every cultural good, identity has become fused with the object of interest, turning previously normal people leading unremarkable lives into Steak ’n Shake beef-tallow purists, Harry Potter moralists, or cast-iron-pan-cleaning radicals.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Mar. 2026
For today’s Welles purists, that would be the least of their concerns.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
The purists will insist that Babe Ruth is rolling in his grave, while the game’s youngest fans probably aren’t listening to them with so many other options for entertainment.
—Abbey Mastracco, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
When Barbara Walters started interviewing celebrities on her prime time specials for ABC in the 1970s, pearl-clutching journalistic purists were aghast.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
When the Mach-E hit the scene, plenty of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle purists were appalled by the idea that Ford would badge an EV as a Mustang.
—Charles Singh, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026
This personality transplant isn’t the only notable deviation likely to get the book’s purists up in arms.
—Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 19 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purists
Noun
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So, that’s something for football fanatics, hoops heads and soccer aficionados.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
3 Apr. 2026
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said radical religious fanatics leading Iran can’t be trusted with a nuclear weapon after attacking embassies and hotels during the war.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Encouraged and aided by independent neighbours, Guinean nationalists took up arms in 1962 and after 10 years of fighting expelled the Portuguese from three-quarters of Portuguese Guinea.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Two of its most high-profile residents have been described as Christian nationalists in local media.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Purists.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purists. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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