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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cleansing
Lauren O'Connor, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
This Apple Butter Cleansing Balm — the first cleansing balm for the brand — has a rich, apple-butter–like texture and a delicious crisp apple scent.
—Jackie Fields, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The spa menu includes massages, facials, and six healing rituals, such as the Restu Bumi, a spiritual cleansing massage featuring local tools, herbs, and warm gemstones.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025
The treatment began with cleansing, followed by dermabrasion, which was my favorite part.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Whether your teen wears makeup or not, cleansing helps wash dirt and oil that might irritate the skin.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 Aug. 2025
Jaliman explains that consistent skincare habits such as cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection can help preserve collagen and elasticity, which prevents sagging around the jaw and neck.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Ahead, the very best Korean cleansing oils that deliver on their promises—and might just turn cleansing into your favorite part of the day.
—Denise Primbet, Glamour, 26 Aug. 2025
Parasite infections are rare in the United States, and many of these cleansing products are not backed by science or regulated for safety.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 25 Aug. 2025
Larry Stansbury, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
The type of breakout determines which cleansing ingredient would work best.
—Khanh T.l. Tran, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
From cleansing the harbor from over a century of industrial pollution to preserving the Waukegan Dunes running the length of the city’s north beach, the environment played a key role in the evolution of the lakefront.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Ahead, the very best Korean cleansing oils that deliver on their promises—and might just turn cleansing into your favorite part of the day.
—Denise Primbet, Glamour, 26 Aug. 2025
Use it right after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer for a plumper, more youthful glow.
—Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2025
Making this frosty, palate-cleansing cucumber cooler from Brooklyn’s Pies ’n’ Thighs couldn’t be easier.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 20 Aug. 2025
This will reduce, or even eliminate, how much manual data management and cleansing your team will have to do in order to keep the algorithm drawing on up-to-date data.
—Michael Amori, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
The slightest interaction with clean-beauty Instagram can fill your feed with ads for beef-tallow lip balms, cleansing creams, sunscreen, and deodorants.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 11 Aug. 2025
Verb
It can be used for moisturizing, cleansing, and soothing irritated skin and as a laxative in enemas or suppositories.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
This Apple Butter Cleansing Balm — the first cleansing balm for the brand — has a rich, apple-butter–like texture and a delicious crisp apple scent.
—Jackie Fields, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The spa menu includes massages, facials, and six healing rituals, such as the Restu Bumi, a spiritual cleansing massage featuring local tools, herbs, and warm gemstones.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025
The treatment began with cleansing, followed by dermabrasion, which was my favorite part.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Whether your teen wears makeup or not, cleansing helps wash dirt and oil that might irritate the skin.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 Aug. 2025
Jaliman explains that consistent skincare habits such as cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection can help preserve collagen and elasticity, which prevents sagging around the jaw and neck.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Ahead, the very best Korean cleansing oils that deliver on their promises—and might just turn cleansing into your favorite part of the day.
—Denise Primbet, Glamour, 26 Aug. 2025
Parasite infections are rare in the United States, and many of these cleansing products are not backed by science or regulated for safety.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
LaVon suggests gently cleansing the scalp with a refresher spray after sweating, followed by a few drops of lightweight oil like grapeseed.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
The type of breakout determines which cleansing ingredient would work best.
—Khanh T.l. Tran, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
From cleansing the harbor from over a century of industrial pollution to preserving the Waukegan Dunes running the length of the city’s north beach, the environment played a key role in the evolution of the lakefront.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Ahead, the very best Korean cleansing oils that deliver on their promises—and might just turn cleansing into your favorite part of the day.
—Denise Primbet, Glamour, 26 Aug. 2025
Use it right after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer for a plumper, more youthful glow.
—Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2025
Making this frosty, palate-cleansing cucumber cooler from Brooklyn’s Pies ’n’ Thighs couldn’t be easier.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 20 Aug. 2025
This will reduce, or even eliminate, how much manual data management and cleansing your team will have to do in order to keep the algorithm drawing on up-to-date data.
—Michael Amori, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
The slightest interaction with clean-beauty Instagram can fill your feed with ads for beef-tallow lip balms, cleansing creams, sunscreen, and deodorants.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleansing
Noun
-
Piramal Sarvajal didn’t try to sell water purification boxes.—
Stephen Wunker,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The recovered metals are upcycled into high-nickel CAM, while graphite undergoes further purification for anode production.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Maddie hides her binging and purging from Deena and Jake, lying about being pregnant to distract her husband from what’s really going on.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
-
His machinations were getting no coverage to speak of, but even at that early stage, Vrabel — Volin noted — was purging the Patriots roster of players connected to his predecessors, one-year head coach Jerod Mayo and before that, legendary head coach Bill Belichick.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Plus, Greene points out that deep cleaning your cabinets is the best way to keep them organized!—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
5 Sep. 2025
-
After a rabies exposure, people should seek immediate preventative medical care, known as post-exposure prophylaxis, which involves thoroughly cleaning the wound and receiving a rabies vaccination.—
Shiv Sudhakar,
FOXNews.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
No matter how sad their stories are, how awful, hearing from people whose voices are rarely listened to is exquisitely cathartic.—
Rabih Alameddine
September 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The story unfolds in dual timelines, exploring the whirlwind romance between Elsie and Ben and the cathartic relationship between Elsie and Susan.—
Katie Mannion,
People.com,
1 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Many stepwells were used for ablution; the tanks associated with mosques, Hindu temples and other shrines offered the most purificatory form. Summoning water from the depths was also a symbol of temporal power.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
13 July 2019
Adjective
-
Experts say heavy bomber drones are very useful against non-moving targets, as well as against groups of soldiers or bunkers, but are typically used at night.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
-
However, the idea that Richardson’s second benching in nine months can somehow be spun into a positive for his development isn’t very moving.—
James Boyd,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Dart was widely impressive in OTAs and minicamp and training camp.—
Kevin McCormick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
Following her loss to Nunes, Shevchenko dropped to 125 pounds and went on one of the most impressive runs in the history of the UFC women’s divisions.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This is the Oscar-winning director's first-ever acting Emmy nomination, and his daughter Francesca shared his emotional reaction to being nominated.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Their emotional personal stories helped fuel the popularity of lotteries.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleansing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleansing. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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