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
as in purifying
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
Verb
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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Cigar aficionados will delight in a hidden room that’s equipped with advanced air purification, and gearheads can admire all their four-wheeled collection in the auto gallery.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
1 Apr. 2025
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Implementing Forward Osmosis Filtration For Safer Water NASA and ESA have created advanced water purification systems to provide astronauts with clean water during long missions.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Writing the memoir was cathartic for Ovesen, but the public’s reaction to the book proved detrimental to her personal and professional life.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Essence,
19 Mar. 2025
-
In a rather cathartic ending (SPOILER ALERT), Supporting Actor season one concludes with Aki and the audience discovering the origins of his curse.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Filming this way adds time and complication: There are so many more moving parts, and for each new take of a scene, every patient and special effect has to be reset, and the entire set has to be cleaned and reorganized.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2025
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One of her most moving posts was her recent follow-up with John Hopkins, longtime owner of Altadena’s O Happy Days vegan cafe and natural food store, who lost his home and store in the Eaton fire.—
Laurie Ochoa,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In the Reel posted on Friday, Hudson shared how the athletic couple captured their impressive shots.—
Natasha Dye,
People.com,
21 Mar. 2025
-
The movement is composed of 514 pieces framed within a titanium baseplate, all of which come together to provide the impressive array of complications present.—
Blake Buettner,
Robb Report,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Louis Vuitton was among the first to recognize how crucial a deep emotional connection is to a brand; the company launched its Travel Book collection in 2013.—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes.com,
1 Apr. 2025
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That emotional connection is something Stacey Younge, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Sixth Street Wellness, sees firsthand.—
Danielle James,
Vogue,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleansing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleansing. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.
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