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

You can even rescue other canned beans from pantry purgatory: kidney, white, garbanzo, whatever you have on hand.

From Salon • May 5, 2026

This state of purgatory continued for nearly six years.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Ultimately, it’s an opportunity that could one day dwarf the auto business—and a chance to escape the purgatory they have been in for decades.

From Barron's • Feb. 6, 2026

I would get through my self-imposed sentence here in purgatory, and then hopefully some school in the Southwest, or possibly Hawaii, would offer me a scholarship.

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

Vocabulary lists containing purgatory

Romeo and Juliet

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

World Religions

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Bless Me, Ultima

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!