Standard Lemma guide

expurgate

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈɛks.pɚ.ɡeɪt/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To edit out (incorrect, offensive, or otherwise undesirable information) from a book or other publication; to cleanse; to purge.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • The publisher decided to expurgate the love scene from the book, to make it more child-friendly.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To undertake editing out incorrect, offensive, or otherwise undesirable information from (a book or other publication); to cleanse; to purge.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • The publisher decided to expurgate the book, which meant removing the love scene.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: winnow

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • bowdlerize a novel

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: bowdlerize, bowdlerise, castrate, shorten

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: abridge, foreshorten, abbreviate, shorten, cut, contract, reduce

History

Etymology

From Latin expurgātus, perfect passive participle of expurgō (“purge, cleanse, purify”).

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: cenzurovat — to cleanse, to purge
  • Finnish: sensuroida — to cleanse, to purge
  • Finnish: poistaa — to cleanse, to purge
  • French: expurger — to cleanse, to purge
  • Galician: expurgar — to cleanse, to purge
  • Indonesian: ralat — to cleanse, to purge
  • Indonesian: meralat — to cleanse, to purge
  • Northern Kurdish: pak kirin — to cleanse, to purge
  • Northern Kurdish: paqij kirin — to cleanse, to purge
  • Latin: expurgō — to cleanse, to purge
  • Romanian: expurga — to cleanse, to purge
  • Spanish: expurgar — to cleanse, to purge