cleansed; cleansing; cleanses
1
: clean
especially
: to rid of impurities by or as if by washing
cleansed the wound
It's that mystical state most athletes are lucky to achieve a few times in their careers. The mind is cleansed. The body is free. —
Jon Wertheim
Jon Wertheim 2
: to expel, imprison, or kill (the members of an ethnic minority) in (an area) : to subject to or remove by ethnic cleansing
In 1996, tens of thousands of ethnic Tutsis, most of them of Rwandan origin, were murdered or ethnically cleansed in the Masisi region of eastern Zaire.—David Rieff
David Rieff
: to engage in or undergo a cleanse to remove toxins from the body
Some people who cleanse say they experience dramatic physical changes.—Karen Hube
Karen Hube
: a very restrictive short-term diet primarily intended to remove toxins from the body
Under the supervision of her nutritionist … Gillian Anderson has reportedly participated in cleanses that consist of little more than liquids for 10 days.—J. D. Heiman
J. D. Heiman… told me about her 28-day cleanse, which limits the caffeine, sugar, gluten, dairy and red meat in your diet.—Jon Harris
Jon HarrisExamples of cleanse in a Sentence
Verb
The cut should be cleansed gently with mild soap and water.
in an elaborate ritual the priestess cleansed the gathering of supplicants
Recent Examples on the Web
Iman Balagam, Vogue, 11 July 2025
Just make sure this step comes after cleansing and applying toner and serum.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 8 July 2025
Rachel Cortez, USA Today, 10 July 2025
This is why a gentle and thorough cleanse is always a crucial part of a healthy skincare routine during the warmest months of the year.
—Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleanse
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Verb
This softening cleansing oil can easily be added to any existing skin-care routine.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 11 July 2025
Just make sure this step comes after cleansing and applying toner and serum.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 8 July 2025
Noun
These pet wipes are infused with chamomile, aloe vera, vitamins C and E to offer a refreshing cleanse for your dog's paws and body, leaving them feeling refreshed.
—Rachel Cortez, USA Today, 10 July 2025
This is why a gentle and thorough cleanse is always a crucial part of a healthy skincare routine during the warmest months of the year.
—Bianca Salonga, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleanse
Cite this Entry
“Cleanse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleanse. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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