1
as in purges
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 cleans
to remove the dirt from
cleanse the wound with soap and water before applying the bandage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cleanses
Shani Darden's Allure Best of Beauty Award-winning Triple Acid Signature Peel delivers almost immediate radiance, thanks to a two-step process that deeply resurfaces and cleanses skin.
—
Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 Feb. 2026
This one not only deposits color, but also gently cleanses and conditions the hair.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2026
Droves of customers just bought this Garnier micellar water that expertly removes makeup and gently cleanses the skin without stripping it bare.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Formulated for normal to dry skin, this gentle daily facial cleanser transforms from a silky oil to a soft, lathering foam that deeply cleanses your skin, effectively removing dirt, excess oil and stubborn makeup without clogging pores, leaving residue or a greasy feeling.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Mindful breathing, meditation, and cupping therapies help clear toxins, while sound bowl and crystal chakra cleanses balance the body’s energy.
—Nina Patel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2025
The exfoliating face wash has become a staple for me thanks to its gentle formula that reduces blackheads and deeply cleanses skin.
—Melony Forcier, People.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Nexxus Amino Bond Shampoo & Conditioner The Amino Bond Repair Shampoo is a sulfate-free shampoo that cleanses and removes build up from the scalp while gently nourishing strands for enhanced strength.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
This essence quickly cleanses and detoxes sensitive skin to soothe it.
—Kirsten Chanel Webber, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
Annie Blackman, Allure, 28 Feb. 2026
This one not only deposits color, but also gently cleanses and conditions the hair.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 20 Feb. 2026
Droves of customers just bought this Garnier micellar water that expertly removes makeup and gently cleanses the skin without stripping it bare.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Formulated for normal to dry skin, this gentle daily facial cleanser transforms from a silky oil to a soft, lathering foam that deeply cleanses your skin, effectively removing dirt, excess oil and stubborn makeup without clogging pores, leaving residue or a greasy feeling.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Mindful breathing, meditation, and cupping therapies help clear toxins, while sound bowl and crystal chakra cleanses balance the body’s energy.
—Nina Patel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2025
The exfoliating face wash has become a staple for me thanks to its gentle formula that reduces blackheads and deeply cleanses skin.
—Melony Forcier, People.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Nexxus Amino Bond Shampoo & Conditioner The Amino Bond Repair Shampoo is a sulfate-free shampoo that cleanses and removes build up from the scalp while gently nourishing strands for enhanced strength.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
This essence quickly cleanses and detoxes sensitive skin to soothe it.
—Kirsten Chanel Webber, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleanses
Verb
-
Haugh lets out the occasional wince, twitch and groan as Patterson kneads knotted muscles and purges lactic acid build-up so Florida’s leading scorer and ironman can continue to shoulder his heavy workload.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Unless a Nest user subscribes to a service that allows for quick access to review footage recorded on a device, Google routinely purges the footage rather than retain it indefinitely, said Stacey Higginbotham, a policy fellow at Consumer Reports who specializes in cybersecurity issues.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Prior to their nuptials, the Danforth family’s in-house glam squad cleans Grace up, and that’s when Ursula approaches her to reconsider her plan to wed her psychotic sibling.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Mar. 2026
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This will prevent things from getting out of hand, making your deep cleans much more manageable.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Designed with a blend of advanced filters, including stainless steel mesh and activated carbon, Aquabliss’ Shower Filter purifies your water and enriches it with vitamin C and tourmaline, revealing softer skin and glossier strands.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
25 Mar. 2026
-
In the biblical sense, the refiner’s fire not only destroys, but purifies the slate clean for novel growth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Suddenly, you’re stuck on the couch until your poor hip heals, staring down a long road of limited mobility and rehab.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Garza, Queta’s primary understudy while Nikola Vucevic’s fractured ring finger heals, continued the trend early in the second quarter, converting three layups in a three-minute span.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Even if the company restores operations, your data is already out there.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
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Solving difficult medical cases matters, but so does the trust the process restores in a health system many patients experience as rushed, fragmented, and indifferent.—
Alexandra Sifferlin,
STAT,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleanses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleanses. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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