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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Anna had been researching using photocatalysis for water purification, while Tomáš was working on a way to use cold plasma to destroy pollutants and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in agricultural and hospital wastewater streams.—
Erik Kobayashi-Solomon,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Both religions’ traditions focus on fasting as a means for spiritual growth, which Muslims might call spiritual purification, said Ahmed, of Morton Grove, who has ties to the Masjid-e-Suffah mosque in Skokie and holds a Ph.D in Islamic Studies with a specialty in comparative religions.—
Pam DeFiglio,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Ono’s particular combination of steely purpose, cathartic sound, gentle tenacity and obstinate positivity still has resistance at its core — and that can’t please everybody.—
Jon Pareles,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2025
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The psychic’s interventions seem to promise, through sheer power of suggestion, a cathartic measure of closure.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Brennen says one of the most moving moments was when the granddaughter spoke to the crowd.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
27 Feb. 2025
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Pic delves into the relevant issue of prejudice, but in a funny and moving manner.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Economic growth − uneven and fragile In raw numbers, Cambodia’s economic progress over the past two decades has been impressive.—
Sophal Ear,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
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But this was far and away Yapi’s most impressive all-around performance over the span of his 66 minutes.—
Braidon Nourse,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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It wasn’t scripted that Robby gets emotional and breaks down at [that] particular point in the speech….—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
10 Apr. 2025
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Just before the game, the franchise honored him with a video tribute, and Dončić became emotional.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleansing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleansing. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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