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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
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
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 June 2026
Premium skincare products are also on sale, including EltaMD sunscreen, Hero's Mighty Patches, and the Elemis cleansing balm.
—
Meaghan Kenny,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 June 2026
Korean cleansing oils help with this problem by thoroughly washing away impurities without the harsh stripping.
—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
23 June 2026
Korean skin care is known for its focus on restoring radiance, and this Sulwhasoo cleansing foam is no exception.
—
Kieaundria Bellamy,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
Be prepared for anything with this portable emergency kit that comes with Band-Aids, Neosporin, Tylenol, cleansing wipes, gauze pads, and more.
—
Jackie Cucco,
Travel + Leisure,
23 June 2026
In Costa Rica, Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Collection offers the River Bath — an aura cleansing ritual that involves a detoxifying scrub and a warm herbal soak to a soundtrack of birdsong and flowing water.
—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
At the end of the film, Man does meet his fate, a cleansing fire, which takes Racine, too.
—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
24 June 2026
To use the bestseller, distribute three pumps over the face and neck daily, post-cleansing, and start savoring its impressive effects after a couple of months of consistent application.
—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
26 Dec. 2025
Mario Badescu’s no-frills formula refines pores and soothes skin post-cleansing with witch hazel and rose water.
—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
18 Nov. 2025
Exploring divine Love’s infinite nature is so cleansing.
—
Mark Swinney,
Christian Science Monitor,
6 May 2025
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 June 2026
Take up to 30% off these cleansing oils that will completely change your face-wash routine.
—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
23 June 2026
An amuse bouche opened the meal, a palate-cleansing sorbet marked the end of the dinner and the beginning of dessert, and a little treat, and the end felt like a festive way to linger a little longer and celebrate a special meal.
—
Christine Sarkis,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Priorities should be cleansing, hydration and protection, added hairstylist Carissa Cortez.
—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
This cleanser brings a spa-like experience straight to your bathroom, thoroughly cleansing the skin without ever leaving it gasping for moisture.
—
Kieaundria Bellamy,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
Next is purifying and hydrating with the Body Wash, which moisturizes and plumps skin while deeply cleansing pores, strengthening the skin barrier and triggering cellular regeneration.
—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Enjoy a few minutes of peace in the shower while cleansing and moisturizing your skin.
—
Laura Lu,
Parents,
22 May 2026
Consider a dip in the spa’s private plunge pool or a cleansing salt ritual, tucked away in a hushed courtyard.
—
Skyli Alvarez,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 May 2026
Noun
Like many of the best Korean cleansing oils, Manyo's Pure Cleansing Oil is a dream for dry skin.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 June 2026
Premium skincare products are also on sale, including EltaMD sunscreen, Hero's Mighty Patches, and the Elemis cleansing balm.
—
Meaghan Kenny,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 June 2026
Korean cleansing oils help with this problem by thoroughly washing away impurities without the harsh stripping.
—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
23 June 2026
Korean skin care is known for its focus on restoring radiance, and this Sulwhasoo cleansing foam is no exception.
—
Kieaundria Bellamy,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
Be prepared for anything with this portable emergency kit that comes with Band-Aids, Neosporin, Tylenol, cleansing wipes, gauze pads, and more.
—
Jackie Cucco,
Travel + Leisure,
23 June 2026
In Costa Rica, Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Collection offers the River Bath — an aura cleansing ritual that involves a detoxifying scrub and a warm herbal soak to a soundtrack of birdsong and flowing water.
—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
At the end of the film, Man does meet his fate, a cleansing fire, which takes Racine, too.
—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Adjective
The in-shower treatment is meant to be used post-cleansing; simply massage it into wet hair and rinse it out two-to-three times a week.
—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
24 June 2026
To use the bestseller, distribute three pumps over the face and neck daily, post-cleansing, and start savoring its impressive effects after a couple of months of consistent application.
—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
26 Dec. 2025
Mario Badescu’s no-frills formula refines pores and soothes skin post-cleansing with witch hazel and rose water.
—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
18 Nov. 2025
Exploring divine Love’s infinite nature is so cleansing.
—
Mark Swinney,
Christian Science Monitor,
6 May 2025
Verb
Contrary to what those face-washing commercials from our childhood led us to believe, your skin doesn't need to feel tight or squeaky-clean after cleansing.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 June 2026
Take up to 30% off these cleansing oils that will completely change your face-wash routine.
—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
23 June 2026
An amuse bouche opened the meal, a palate-cleansing sorbet marked the end of the dinner and the beginning of dessert, and a little treat, and the end felt like a festive way to linger a little longer and celebrate a special meal.
—
Christine Sarkis,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Priorities should be cleansing, hydration and protection, added hairstylist Carissa Cortez.
—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
This cleanser brings a spa-like experience straight to your bathroom, thoroughly cleansing the skin without ever leaving it gasping for moisture.
—
Kieaundria Bellamy,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
Next is purifying and hydrating with the Body Wash, which moisturizes and plumps skin while deeply cleansing pores, strengthening the skin barrier and triggering cellular regeneration.
—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Enjoy a few minutes of peace in the shower while cleansing and moisturizing your skin.
—
Laura Lu,
Parents,
22 May 2026
Consider a dip in the spa’s private plunge pool or a cleansing salt ritual, tucked away in a hushed courtyard.
—
Skyli Alvarez,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleansing
Noun
-
Temazcal is a traditional sweat lodge used for physical and spiritual purification.
-
To improve water quality, the government hired Green Water Solutions, a federal contractor that installs water purification systems to reduce toxins, algae and other substances in contaminated water, according to its website.
Adjective
-
For Siddiq, who served time in prison before turning to comedy, joke-telling is cathartic.
-
After holding these characters in psychological suspension for so long, the show finally puts them in a position for a cathartic finish.
Verb
-
Here was a symbolic way of purging Hindu society of untouchability.
-
The data shows that black and brown people spend much longer time, in longer lines, purging people, people literally showing up and not knowing that their names have been purged from the rolls.
Verb
-
An 11-year-old named Ashton built a viral bin-cleaning business by simply addressing a local need.
-
To incorporate dryer sheets into your oven rack-cleaning, line a layer of dryer sheets on top of your old towel in the bottom of the bathtub, add the rack(s), and cover the rack(s) with more dryer sheets.
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.
Adjective
-
The report conducted by the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California analyzed 2023-24 traffic stop data and found that Sacramento police disproportionately stopped Black drivers, often for minor vehicle equipment or non-moving violations.
-
Domingo nails it and is very moving.
Adjective
-
He is credited with achieving impressive economic growth, while leading the country during a brutal two-year civil war that ended in 2022.
-
Thank you, United States Men’s National Team, for an early showing impressive enough to have already clinched the top of Group D and an advance to the knockout phase of this global event.
Adjective
-
The expansion’s Council proponents have never really addressed this point beyond emotional appeals to the plight of overburdened tenants.
-
The emotional beats are incredible but don't linger for too long and the humor is great for both kids and parents.
Cite this Entry
“Cleansing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleansing. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
