as in purification
the act or fact of freeing from sin or moral guilt
underwent a cleansing before he could enter the temple's most sacred chamber
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in purging
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially
in an elaborate ritual the priestess cleansed the gathering of supplicants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cleaning
to remove the dirt from
cleanse the wound with soap and water before applying the bandage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in purifying
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cleansing
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2025
Start by cleansing the affected area with mild soap and warm water, then pat dry.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Jan. 2025
Caress Daily Silk Bar Soap Transform shower time while gently cleansing your skin with the refreshing fragrance and rich, creamy lather of the Caress Daily Silk Bar Soap.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
Apply on face and neck after cleansing.
—Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024
Over four songs that span the length of a feature film, Sumac turn The Healer into a beguiling feat of experimental metal that’s at once cleansing and terrifying.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024
This four-piece kit features four of the brand’s top sellers, a standout of which is the cleansing oil—a lightweight formula packed with jojoba, safflower, and apricot kernel oil for hydration, plus green tea extract to soothe irritation, and ginseng and licorice extract for brightening.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Dec. 2024
That means two bottles of this delectable cream in all of its moisturizing, priming, and cleansing glory.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 29 Nov. 2024
Exfoliation should be done right after cleansing your face.
—Rio Viera-Newton, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
This silicone scrubber is my body cleansing agent of choice.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2025
Start by cleansing the affected area with mild soap and warm water, then pat dry.
—Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Jan. 2025
Caress Daily Silk Bar Soap Transform shower time while gently cleansing your skin with the refreshing fragrance and rich, creamy lather of the Caress Daily Silk Bar Soap.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
Apply on face and neck after cleansing.
—Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024
Over four songs that span the length of a feature film, Sumac turn The Healer into a beguiling feat of experimental metal that’s at once cleansing and terrifying.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 4 Dec. 2024
This four-piece kit features four of the brand’s top sellers, a standout of which is the cleansing oil—a lightweight formula packed with jojoba, safflower, and apricot kernel oil for hydration, plus green tea extract to soothe irritation, and ginseng and licorice extract for brightening.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Dec. 2024
That means two bottles of this delectable cream in all of its moisturizing, priming, and cleansing glory.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 29 Nov. 2024
Exfoliation should be done right after cleansing your face.
—Rio Viera-Newton, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleansing
Noun
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Osceola, meaning black drink singer, refers to a liquid a Seminole warrior would drink during purification rites, the National Park Service's website says.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
7 July 2025
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International projects have included Project Mercy Baja to help impoverished families obtain homes in Mexico, water purification projects in Ecuador, providing feminine hygiene supplies in India and supporting nursing students in Mexico.—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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White encourages cathartic expression of social anger.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
The track is a slow-burning charmer that sneaks up on you, quietly building into seismic, cathartic riffs as McLamb reflects on being a girl among the boys.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
16 July 2025
Adjective
-
Yet the most moving and memorable picture in the show, aside from Rembrandt’s, is one by his contemporary Hendrick van Steenwijk the Younger, on loan from the National Gallery, in Washington, D.C.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
19 July 2025
-
Since that splashy White House announcement, the tariff rates have been a wildly moving target.—
July 16,
NPR,
16 July 2025
Adjective
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And those are just a few concept highlights; there are plenty of others, including some impressive production vehicles.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 July 2025
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But Sandler had different advice about those making an impressive amount of cash.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
Faces and words may fade, but their emotional residue frequently lingers.—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
The Atlantic,
15 July 2025
-
The show's second season saw some of Ford's most emotional work, as the therapist is forced to face his mortality due to his worsening condition.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
15 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleansing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleansing. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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