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purgatory

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


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.

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Unfortunately he only ever moved from "two bar hell to three bar purgatory".

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

Julian initially hoped to see hell and purgatory in her “showings” but her wishes are not granted.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 11, 2026

Acme has spent the past several years in cinematic purgatory after its original studio tried to bury it for a tax write-off.

From Slate ● Sep. 1, 2026

They enter the trade deadline period in a difficult spot as a team in purgatory that just fired its general manager.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

“If it was terrible, it wouldn’t be purgatory soup, would it? It would be hell soup. Which would have to be more interesting.”

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

He could ask Washingtonians and Puerto Ricans for forgiveness over not righting their untenable political purgatories.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2024

Treasury officials, who are trying to brace the public for refund delays, service disruptions, interminable telephone-hold purgatories and other unpleasantries that taxpayers will face over the next few months.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 13, 2022

Port representatives would sail by dinghy to receive it, then direct passengers of suspect ships to purgatories where they would be quarantined.

From New York Times ● Feb. 23, 2021

These upheavals and tragedies pierce the illusions we have constructed and leave us trapped and spellbound in self-inflicted and imposed purgatories.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 8, 2019

I suppose they are purgatories through which you have to pass to get to these wonderful cities.

From The Christian A Story by Sir Hall Caine


Vocabulary lists containing purgatory

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