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purifying

purifying

4.2
Removes harmful or unwanted substances to make something clean
  • adjective
  • /ˈpjʊrəˌfaɪɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : purificante
  • The researchers developed a purifying method to eliminate toxins from the soil.

It's the Irish More Mud purifying black mask.

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Examples

  • The water that flows through the system is then put through a thorough purifying process, and the water is put back into the water system.

    Blog text (29)
  • The water was a purifying agent that cleansed bodies internally and externally.

    Academic text (1994)
  • This is the Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask.

  • The purifying treatment effectively removed all bacteria from the water.

  • Many skincare products contain purifying ingredients that help clear the skin.

Synonyms

to clean
vspurifying
1.0

To remove dirt and stains

is more targeted toward germ killing and filtering impurities for purity
to filter
vspurifying
138 3.0

To pass something through a device that removes unwanted parts

also covers chemical or microbial removal achieved by other methods
to rinse
vspurifying
83 1.0

To wash something with water to remove soap or dirt

adds stronger measures like germ destruction or fine filtration
to eliminate
vspurifying
  • Specialized
81 4.3

Remove waste or harmful substances from the body

refers more to active removal of germs or impurities, not only elimination
to purge
vspurifying
49 6.3

To remove unwanted substances, things, or people by cleaning

is more specific about killing germs or filtering impurities for purity
to refine
vspurifying
  • Specialized
41 3.9

Remove unwanted parts from a material to make it pure

emphasizes killing germs and filtering as specific purification actions
to cleanse
vspurifying
33 3.0

Remove dirt and germs from a person's body by washing

includes washing but also non-wash methods like sterilizing or filtering
to purify
vspurifying
30 4.6

To remove dirt and bad chemicals from water or air to make them clean

focuses more on killing germs or filtering to ensure purity
to sterilize
vspurifying
  • Specialized
29 4.1

To make something like medical tools free of bacteria using heat or chemicals

covers removing unwanted substances not only eliminating all microbes
to filter out
vspurifying
20 3.8

To remove unwanted things from water, air, or lists by letting the rest pass

includes filtering but also methods that destroy harmful organisms
to disinfect
vspurifying
18 3.7

To clean a surface, wound, or tool with chemicals to kill germs

includes that microbe killing but also physical removal like filtering
to sanitize
vspurifying
  • US
11 3.7

Make something clean and free from bacteria

stresses both germ killing and impurity removal beyond basic cleaning
to wash out
vspurifying
9 2.0

Clean something using water to remove dirt or stains

can also involve killing germs and filtering, not only washing
to decontaminate
vspurifying
  • Specialized
9 7.0

To remove harmful substances from a place or thing to make it safe

is narrower, focusing on germ control and purity rather than hazards
to clarify
vspurifying
  • Specialized
5 4.2

To remove solid bits so a liquid becomes clear

focuses less on visual clarity and more on removing germs and toxins
to chlorinate
vspurifying
  • Specialized
4 5.9

To treat water and other things with chlorine to kill bacteria

is broader, including other methods beyond chemical chlorination
to detoxify
vspurifying
2 5.4

To remove harmful substances from something to make it safe

is wider, covering both toxin removal and germ or particle removal
to detox
vspurifying
2 3.9

To remove harmful things from the body by changing what you eat

is about removing impurities and germs beyond bodily treatments
to deionize
vspurifying
  • Specialized
1 8.6

To remove ions from water to make it purer

targets biological germs and general impurities, not only ions
to decon
vspurifying
  • Jargon
1 8.4

To remove dangerous substances from people, equipment, or areas

covers regular germ or impurity removal rather than extreme hazard cleanup
to degerm
vspurifying
7.4

Remove germs from something by cleaning or using a disinfectant

is broader, also including non-microbial impurity removal like filtering
to deterge
vspurifying
  • Archaic
9.9

To clean a wound or the skin by washing away dirt and germs

is broader, including non-wash methods like filtration or sterilization
to hygienize
vspurifying
  • Specialized
7.5

To make something clean and free from germs

is similar but may also include non-sanitary purity methods like filtering
to detoxicate
vspurifying
7.5

Take harmful substances out of something to make it safe

is broader, including removing microbes and nonpoisonous impurities
to clean one's system
vspurifying
5.1

To remove harmful things from the body or a computer

focuses on cleaning and germ removal beyond bodily toxin removal
to filtrate
vspurifying
  • Specialized
7.3

To remove solid parts from a liquid or gas using a filter

is broader, including disinfection and sterilization beyond separation

Antonyms

Causing something to become dirty or harmful by adding unwanted materials

adulterating
  • Specialized
7.4

Making something impure by adding cheaper or harmful substances

3.5

Not safe to use because dangerous chemicals are in the air, water, or soil

How Purifying

sterilization
  • Specialized
3 4.5
purifying
  • Specialized
4.2
disinfection
3 4.1
to sanitize
  • US
11 3.7
cleaning
335 1.0

Surface Forms

purifying positive

Morphology

purifying = purify (transparent) = pure + ify + ing

Standard verb + '-ing' formation from 'purify', indicating an action or process of removing impurities.

Etymology

Purifying comes from the Latin word purus, meaning 'clean', and is the same root as the word pure. So a purifying filter or process removes dirt and germs to make water or air 'pure'.