1
as in to purge
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially
in an elaborate ritual the priestess cleansed the gathering of supplicants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to clean
to remove the dirt from
cleanse the wound with soap and water before applying the bandage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cleanse
Its formula is gentle and fragrance free and is infused with oat, calendula, and shea butter to cleanse and nourish even the most sensitive skin.
—
Laura Lu, Parents, 22 May 2025
Between not having full access to your scalp and ruining the look of your style, some folks prefer to skip cleansing altogether.
—Tatayana Yomary, Essence, 19 May 2025
The formula stars ingredients like exfoliating, brightening charcoal, and creamy kaolin clay to achieve that mask effect to tackle hair below the surface, slowing future growth, all while moisturizing and cleansing pores.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 7 May 2025
Rinse and Repeat For outdoor plants, cleansing rain showers help wash away dirt and pests.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleanse
Laura Lu, Parents, 22 May 2025
Between not having full access to your scalp and ruining the look of your style, some folks prefer to skip cleansing altogether.
—Tatayana Yomary, Essence, 19 May 2025
The formula stars ingredients like exfoliating, brightening charcoal, and creamy kaolin clay to achieve that mask effect to tackle hair below the surface, slowing future growth, all while moisturizing and cleansing pores.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 7 May 2025
Rinse and Repeat For outdoor plants, cleansing rain showers help wash away dirt and pests.
—Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleanse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleanse
Verb
-
Listen to this article WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump abruptly fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on Thursday as the White House continues to purge the federal government of those perceived to oppose the president and his agenda.—
Seung Min Kim,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2025
-
Just for the record, Patrick Mahomes didn’t get his iconic mohawk sheared off to purge that 40-22 drubbing by the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
23 May 2025
Verb
-
Deen said housekeepers are often required to clean a room every 15 minutes, which leads to injuries and less-clean rooms.—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
31 May 2025
-
Add Aquatic Plants Aquatic plants not only look serene, but help clean the water and provide shade for fish.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleanse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleanse. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share