purgative

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.

Taking out the trash is like administering a purgative to my house.

From Washington Post • Oct. 28, 2019

By the middle of the bridge — “Don’t stop dreamin’, don’t stop believin’” — you may be itching for some big, purgative blast to wake you up, and wash away the cliché.

From New York Times • Jul. 27, 2018

And this, too, felt like a purgative end to 2016.

From The New Yorker • Jan. 3, 2017

Teddy Roosevelt also glorified war for its own sake, treating it as a refreshing purgative to enliven the spirit and a country’s greatness.

From Slate • Sep. 12, 2014

Bottles of rye, purgative waters and eaux for every conceivable toilette made a companionable click in his worn carpet bag.

From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison