CLEANING Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

cleaning

verb

present participle of clean

as in scrubbing

to remove the dirt from we cleaned the clothes before donating them to charity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in removing

to take the internal organs out of cleaned the rabbit before cooking it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 cleaning Always follow the siding manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations first. — The Spruce, 20 Sep. 2026 Sullivan began her chores, which included cleaning the home’s windows. — Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026 Kia does not specifically recommend nitrogen tire inflation, transmission flushing, or fuel induction cleaning as part of the normal maintenance schedule. — John Paul Senior Manager Public Affairs and Traffic Safety Aaa Northeast, Hartford Courant, 19 Sep. 2026 Everyone, meanwhile, can enjoy the simple, perfect sight gag of a voluptuous sheep cleaning a blackboard with her ample fleece. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026 Rubber or silicone gloves for protection while cleaning or doing the dishes. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 18 Sep. 2026 Dip your microfiber cloth into the mixture and apply it to the zellige tiles, cleaning in gentle circles. — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Sep. 2026 Abby was cleaning the upstairs guest room when she was struck as many as 19 times with a hatchet. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026 Others were quiet about the fact that their fathers worked in factories and their mothers as cleaning women. — Gloria Steinem, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleaning

Verb

Soak pans before cleaning them, and turn off the faucet when scrubbing.

— Simmone Shah, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
Wipe the solution off with water and a microfiber cloth, scrubbing at the grimy parts.

— Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of scrubbing

Verb

However, the debate in Europe is not about completely removing the EU AI Act.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 20 Sep. 2026
In recent weeks, SOUTHCOM has also released several videos showing military personnel intercepting and boarding vessels allegedly involved in narco-trafficking before removing their crews and sinking the boats.

— Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of removing

Verb

The bestselling cream-like balm melts into a clear, oil-like cleanser when warmed between dry palms, dissolving makeup, sunscreen, and grime before emulsifying with water and rinsing clean.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 6 Sep. 2026
Torres likes to clean zellige tiles in 2-foot sections at a time, rinsing the microfiber cloth in clean water before moving on to the next section.

— Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of rinsing

Verb

Aside from the groups, others who’d voiced out against Macklemore’s actions included Pink, who reposted a call to remove Macklemore from the tour, drawing significant backlash of her own.

— Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
The Cowboys’ top two offensive weapons had only 27 receiving yards in the first half, with most of their big plays coming from drawing defensive pass interference calls.

— Jon Machota, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of drawing

Verb

Kansas’ Union soldiers, who were known as Jayhawkers, responded by cleansing three Missouri counties along the border and stacking a similar number of dead bodies in retaliation.

— Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
The Joico HydraSplash Hydrating Shampoo swaps the usual suspects for keratin (a protective protein) and natural hydrators like coconut water and sea kelp to replenish dry hair while thoroughly cleansing it.

— Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of cleansing

Verb

China secured supply chain dominance and established rubidium as a strategic resource by extracting high-value elements from its lithium waste.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2026
True economic success in 2026 isn’t about extracting the last dollar from a negative-margin middle class.

— Katica Roy, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of extracting

Verb

By cutting the number of working holiday visas, critics say, the government risks causing more economic pain.

— Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
The state’s top law enforcement officer will not shed any light on why subpoenas were recently served on a slew of Broward County officials regarding the county’s efforts to explore cutting ties with the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

— Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 18 Sep. 2026