gmail keeps syncing no matter what...

[circe801]

just purchased a moto x pure edition. love this phone.
one problem, though--i have shut off sync in gmail.
i have shut off sync in accounts.
nothing i have found in the forums stops the issue of mail syncing regardless of what i do.
i have deleted my google account and then restarted it.
when i deleted it, it said that all info--including emails--would be wiped.
gmail persisted. all messages stayed--and continued to sync older messages with each one i delete.
i am trying to clear my inbox of all but a day or two of messages.
it is, right now, impossible.
any advice? this is really frustrating...

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Are you talking about the Gmail app, or the stock Email app (assuming that Gmail isn't the default/stock email app on that phone)?