purifies crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're looking for solutions to the clue "purifies crossword clue", you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of possible answers, sorted by letter count, along with helpful explanations to guide you through your puzzle.
Solutions for "purifies crossword clue" by Letter Count
7 Letters
CLEANSE: To make something clean, pure, or free of pollutants or harmful substances. Often implies a thorough and sometimes ritualistic removal of impurities.
DISTILL: To purify a liquid by heating it so that it vaporizes, then cooling the vapor so that it condenses into a purified liquid. Metaphorically, to extract the essential meaning or most important parts.
6 Letters
REFINE: To remove impurities or unwanted elements from a substance, often through a process that improves its quality or precision. Can also refer to making something more elegant or precise.
FILTER: To pass a liquid or gas through a device to remove unwanted solid particles or impurities. Also metaphorically means to separate or remove undesirable elements.
5 Letters
PURGE: To rid (someone or something) of an unwanted quality, condition, or feeling. Can also mean to physically remove or cleanse, often in a forceful manner.
4 Letters
WASH: To clean with water and, typically, soap or detergent. Can imply a basic cleansing or a more thorough purification depending on context.
LAVE: A less common synonym for wash or bathe, often with a more formal or poetic connotation of cleansing.
More About "purifies crossword clue"
The concept of "purifying" is broad and can appear in many contexts within a crossword puzzle. It might refer to a physical process, such as purifying water or metals, or a more abstract one, like purifying one's thoughts or intentions. Crossword setters often play on these different meanings, so considering the surrounding clues and the overall theme of the puzzle can be incredibly helpful.
From a scientific perspective, purification involves removing contaminants to achieve a higher state of purity, which is vital in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and environmental science. In a spiritual or moral sense, to purify means to cleanse oneself of sin, guilt, or negative influences. Understanding this duality helps in identifying the correct synonym, whether it's a straightforward action like WASH or a more complex process like DISTILL or REFINE.
Always pay close attention to any additional words in the clue that might hint at the specific type of purification. For instance, 'purifies metal' would likely lead to REFINE, while 'purifies water' might suggest FILTER or CLEANSE. The beauty of crosswords lies in these subtle nuances!
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider All Synonyms: For clues like "purifies," brainstorm every possible synonym you can think of, even less common ones like LAVE. Crosswords love to use a wide vocabulary.
- Check Letter Counts First: Before you even think of specific words, see what letter counts are available from your intersecting answers. This significantly narrows down the possibilities for words like CLEANSE (7 letters) versus WASH (4 letters).
- Look for Contextual Clues: Sometimes the clue will add context, like "purifies ore" or "purifies oneself." These additional words are crucial hints that guide you to the precise meaning the setter intends.
- Use Cross-References: If you're stuck on "purifies," try to solve any intersecting clues first. The letters you get from those will often reveal the answer for "purifies" by filling in key positions.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'purifies' mean in the context of crossword clues?
In crosswords, 'purifies' refers to actions or processes that remove impurities, refine, cleanse, or make something clean and free from contamination. This can include physical, chemical, or even metaphorical purification.
Are there common synonyms for 'purifies' used in crosswords?
Yes, common synonyms include CLEANSE, REFINE, FILTER, PURGE, WASH, and sometimes DISTILL or CLARIFY. The specific answer depends on the letter count and intersecting letters in the puzzle.
How can I approach clues like 'purifies crossword clue' when I'm stuck?
First, consider the letter count you need. Then, think of synonyms for 'purifies' that fit that length. Check any intersecting letters you already have. Also, consider if the clue has a specific context (e.g., 'purifies gold' versus 'purifies the soul'). Sometimes, a more archaic or less common synonym might be the answer.