1
as in to purge
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially
in an elaborate ritual the priestess cleansed the gathering of supplicants
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to clean
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 cleanse
How and when to apply eye cream: After cleansing and before moisturizing.
—
Esme Benjamin, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The trade group said that brands representing 90% of national sales have taken the pledge, much as Kraft Heinz and General Mills have pinky-sworn to cleanse their U.S. products of synthetic dyes by 2027.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 9 Aug. 2025
While this shampoo-and-conditioner combo doesn’t contain minoxidil and isn’t designed to regrow hair, it’s formulated to complement Rogaine’s topical treatments by boosting volume and gently cleansing the scalp.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 8 Aug. 2025
While there aren’t one-size-fits-all directions for brow lamination kits, per se, generally the steps tend to be pretty similar across products—cleanse the brows, apply the treatment, wait, wipe off, repeat.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleanse
Esme Benjamin, People.com, 6 Aug. 2025
The trade group said that brands representing 90% of national sales have taken the pledge, much as Kraft Heinz and General Mills have pinky-sworn to cleanse their U.S. products of synthetic dyes by 2027.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 9 Aug. 2025
While this shampoo-and-conditioner combo doesn’t contain minoxidil and isn’t designed to regrow hair, it’s formulated to complement Rogaine’s topical treatments by boosting volume and gently cleansing the scalp.
—Malia Griggs, Glamour, 8 Aug. 2025
While there aren’t one-size-fits-all directions for brow lamination kits, per se, generally the steps tend to be pretty similar across products—cleanse the brows, apply the treatment, wait, wipe off, repeat.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleanse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleanse
Verb
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By the end of his tenure, Xi could well exceed the mercurial Mao Zedong in his body count of officers who have been purged.—
JONATHAN A. CZIN,
Foreign Affairs,
18 Aug. 2025
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Gradually, the habit evolved into purging food and then into a way to maintain his weight.—
Noelle Wiehe,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The meat saws and grinder weren’t being cleaned properly, and there was insufficient hot water at the hand sink.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Aug. 2025
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People who breathe in the mist can become ill if the water within the towers gets too warm, stagnant or isn't adequately cleaned.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
22 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleanse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleanse. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.
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