as in rhetoric
full of fine words and fancy expressions
an overwritten novel with far too many purple patches
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of purple
Fruit is greenish yellow with purple stripes to solid purple, depending on the variety.
—
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 1 Aug. 2025
Some already have, with action in red, blue, and purple states alike – from South Carolina to Ohio to Colorado to Oregon.
—Mindy Lubber, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Ossoff, who is running for reelection in purple Georgia, quickly faced GOP criticism for the vote.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2025
There is no sign outside, just two purple lights on a quiet Over-the-Rhine side street, giving it the feel of a 1920s speakeasy.
—Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for purple
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 1 Aug. 2025
Some already have, with action in red, blue, and purple states alike – from South Carolina to Ohio to Colorado to Oregon.
—Mindy Lubber, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025
Ossoff, who is running for reelection in purple Georgia, quickly faced GOP criticism for the vote.
—David Sivak, The Washington Examiner, 31 July 2025
There is no sign outside, just two purple lights on a quiet Over-the-Rhine side street, giving it the feel of a 1920s speakeasy.
—Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for purple
Recent Examples of Synonyms for purple
Adjective
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That brief respite in Trump’s relentless rhetorical war on his favorite economic foil will almost certainly expire Wednesday afternoon – possibly while Powell is still fielding questions from reporters after the Fed announces its interest rate decision.—
Phil Mattingly,
CNN Money,
30 July 2025
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The phrase itself is more of a rhetorical flourish than a description of how Beijing sees Moscow.—
Da Wei,
Foreign Affairs,
29 July 2025
Adjective
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Ghosh’s one-to-two-word lines, thick with luscious ls and ws, are at once ornate arrangements and liquid mouthfuls.—
Christopher Spaide
August 1,
Literary Hub,
1 Aug. 2025
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The walls are chockablock with paintings of former presidents in heavily ornate gold frames.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Purple.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/purple. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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