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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cleaning
to remove the dirt from
cleanse the wound with soap and water before applying the bandage
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of 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
Data quality requires periodic audits and data cleansing to help sustain high standards over time.
—Cristian Randieri, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Additionally, routinely cleansing and updating your data without prohibitive fuss requires you to think differently about data management.
—Ricardo Madan, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Use it in the morning and night as the first step after cleansing for an extra dose of moisture that'll leave your skin looking and feeling soothed.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 2 Oct. 2024
Verb
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
Data quality requires periodic audits and data cleansing to help sustain high standards over time.
—Cristian Randieri, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Additionally, routinely cleansing and updating your data without prohibitive fuss requires you to think differently about data management.
—Ricardo Madan, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
Use it in the morning and night as the first step after cleansing for an extra dose of moisture that'll leave your skin looking and feeling soothed.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 2 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleansing
Noun
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And yes, Native American tribes use cold immersion for their purification ceremonies, while Nordic nations have been braving alternating cold baths and saunas.Nicholas Wyman, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
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Proposition 4 looked to borrow $10 billion to fund climate change initiatives, with $3.8 billion set aside for water purification and infrastructure programs and $1.5 billion for wildfire and forest programs.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Her approach to setbacks is to turn to God, her family, and sometimes, a cathartic cry.Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 9 Dec. 2024
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After nearly two hours of setbacks and resistance, Perry’s adversity-minded script unleashes a series of cathartic scenes in which the women are recognized for their service — including end-credits archival footage of complimentary remarks by Michelle Obama.Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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In a stunningly moving scene, Sam leads his shaken and shattered partner, Michael (Omari Douglas), to safety amid an unexpected and bloody shootout at their apartment.Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 5 Dec. 2024
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These scenes, combined with Tendler’s detailing of her relationship with her mother, make for some of the best and most moving writing in the book, to say nothing of a very beautiful chapter on her French bulldog, Petunia, toward the end.Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 12 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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The year’s most impressive filmmaking debut was the playwright Annie Baker’s soft but spiky recollection of life in western Massachusetts in the early ’90s.David Sims, The Atlantic, 9 Dec. 2024
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His second score was what coach Kevin O’Connell called the most impressive Darnold moment of the day.Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Research suggests that mindfulness therapy can reduce emotional reactions and negative thinking.Sherri Gordon, Health, 7 Dec. 2024
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Venus’ entrance to Aquarius and your zone of home and roots intensify your need for emotional security.USA TODAY, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near cleansing
Cite this Entry
“Cleansing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleansing. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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