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 Other ways to prevent cockroaches with baking soda are to utilize it as a cleaning agent. — Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 16 Aug. 2026 The only thing better than a cozy fireplace is one that doesn’t need, soot, wood, or chimney cleaning. — Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Aug. 2026 When to Mop With Cold Water In many situations, cleaning professionals recommend using hot water to help break down stubborn dirt and residue, but cold water can be just as valuable. — Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 15 Aug. 2026 If cleaning the floor, add 3-4 tablespoons of OxiClean or another commercial cleaner to 2 gallons of warm water. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 14 Aug. 2026 Wu said there are cleaning protocols hospitals and long-term care facilities can use to minimize potential spread of the fungus. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 10 Aug. 2026 The cemetery is wooded and so overgrown that Harper is hiring a crew to clear it out enough for volunteers to get in to work on cleaning it up so the dead can be given their due respect. — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026 Brandon Holbrook is seen shopping for cleaning supplies in Pennsylvania the morning after Joe Shymanski's murder. — Nikki Battiste, CBS News, 9 Aug. 2026 Using the wrong type of cleaning product for your tub’s material can result in scratches, discoloration, or chips. — Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleaning

Verb

Bourdain was doing all of the grunt work at the Flagship, scrubbing pots and pans, scraping plates, peeling potatoes, and cleaning shrimp.

— Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
Following the grain from top to bottom, wipe the shutters with the damp cloth, gently scrubbing any stains.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of scrubbing

Verb

For best results, the brand recommends massaging a dollop into the scalp for two full minutes before rinsing it out.

— Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026
Some American Standard models also include a series of openings in the rim that create a power flush, rinsing away material that often collects under the rim over time.

— BestReviews, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of rinsing

Verb

Georgia Power’s deal to provide electricity to a massive, OpenAI campus planned near Savannah is drawing regulators’ scrutiny and reviving debates about how to keep residential customers safe from the facilities’ costs.

— Drew Kann, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Contra Despite the cancellations in some European countries, West’s shows in others have gone ahead, drawing large crowds.

— Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of drawing

Verb

Soak for 30 minutes to absorb the bath’s therapeutic benefits which include releasing tension, cleansing your skin, and relaxing your body.

— Rana Good, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
If your skin feels tight after cleansing or tends to become flaky, Native Hydrating Facial Cleanser is an affordable upgrade.

— Laura Lu, Parents, 29 July 2026

Definition of cleansing

Verb

And like any foundational infrastructure, extracting true, durable productivity contributions demands significant capital expenditure, painstaking organizational restructuring and time.

— Ivan Illan, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Meanwhile, the collaboration can continue extracting information from its remaining data.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of extracting

Verb

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie livestreamed a ribbon-cutting ceremony early Thursday as the new Grocery Outlet store opened its doors.

— CBS News, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Torrents overwhelmed infrastructure, cutting power to tens of thousands of homes, flooding about 170 houses and blocking roads, while a landslide hit Togane and muddy water inundated cars and railway tracks.

— Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026