purgatory

[pur-guh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ˈpɜr gəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

NOUN

hell

Synonyms

STRONGEST

limbo

STRONG

Gehenna Hades abyss perdition pit suffering underworld

WEAK

Abaddon bottomless pit everlasting fire fire and brimstone infernal regions lower world nether world place of torment

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They feel like suburban purgatory, liminal implying a state in between reality and dream.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

To call it purgatory would imply that this is not Clark’s final destination.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

Realism is achieved not through bare-bones scenic furniture but through the combustible relationships of characters who exist with one another in a purgatory of disillusionment.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

This state of purgatory continued for nearly six years.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

In a way, it’s kind of like purgatory, isn’t it?

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez

Vocabulary lists containing purgatory

Romeo and Juliet

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World Religions

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Bless Me, Ultima

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