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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cleanse
The Means siblings therefore recommend eschewing refined sugar in favor of leafy greens, avoiding nicotine and alcohol, frequenting saunas and cold plunges, getting seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep a night, and cleansing your life of environmental toxins.
—
Hannah Seo, The Atlantic, 10 June 2025
Today, Typology has a broad skin care offering, making up 98 percent of the line, from face moisturizer to serum and cleansing lotion.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 30 May 2025
Its filters can cleanse the air of particulate matter 2.5, a toxin shed in vehicle exhaust, industrial activity, and wildfires.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 12 June 2025
Take three deep, cleansing breaths, and invite your being to be refueled with confidence and light.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleanse
Hannah Seo, The Atlantic, 10 June 2025
Today, Typology has a broad skin care offering, making up 98 percent of the line, from face moisturizer to serum and cleansing lotion.
—Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 30 May 2025
Its filters can cleanse the air of particulate matter 2.5, a toxin shed in vehicle exhaust, industrial activity, and wildfires.
—Matt Fuchs, Time, 12 June 2025
Take three deep, cleansing breaths, and invite your being to be refueled with confidence and light.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for cleanse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleanse
Verb
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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth purged some of Colby’s allies in a complicated internal political spat in April, and the person directly involved in some of the internal arguments said Hegseth tends to side with Kurilla in the arguments over the Middle East.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
14 June 2025
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Where companies once stored every piece of data indefinitely, there's now a clear need to purge outdated or irrelevant information.—
Rajnish Nath,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
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This also allows access to the interior of the hood, which should be cleaned periodically using a mild detergent.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
24 June 2025
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Before cleaning, check the care label or manufacturer’s instructions for specific directions to care for the materials contained in the rug.—
Karen Grossman,
Southern Living,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleanse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleanse. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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