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
Relevance
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
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
That’s because, with the exception of reverse osmosis—which is used sparingly, in instances where recycled or saltwater is being treated—typical water purification processes aren’t designed to suck out molecules that tiny.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
10 Jan. 2025
-
Raw data, like raw water, must undergo a process of purification to become valuable for AI systems.—
Hamilton Mann,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The status as a big home favorite will make for a festive Week 18 and a cathartic end to the playoff drought.—
Matt Schubert,
The Denver Post,
5 Jan. 2025
-
Our theories ranged from the cathartic feeling of sweating after eating something spicy to the pleasure of choosing your own ingredients.—
Reia Li,
The Arizona Republic,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs.—
Susan Tompor,
USA TODAY,
21 Dec. 2024
-
Sam and Eric’s attempts to evade the aliens can be gripping and scary, but Day One is really a profoundly moving exploration of what survival really means.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Perovskite solar cells that are seriously impressive.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
8 Jan. 2025
-
Oregon transfer Chance Gray has been impressive, averaging a career-best 16 points per game in her first year in Columbus, and the explosiveness of Freshman of the Year candidate Jaloni Cambridge make this year’s Buckeyes especially dangerous.—
Ben Pickman,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
These intelligent and emotional animals have been a part of human culture for centuries—as companions, workers and performers.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes,
18 Jan. 2025
-
People feel abandoned or unprepared, amplifying the emotional toll.—
John Hope Bryant,
TIME,
18 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near cleansing
Cite this Entry
“Cleansing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleansing. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share