1
as in purges
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially
in an elaborate ritual the priestess cleansed the gathering of supplicants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cleans
to remove the dirt from
cleanse the wound with soap and water before applying the bandage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 cleanses
The hybrid gel-cream formula creates a rich, foamy lather that cleanses without stripping moisture.
—
Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 1 Jan. 2026
Droves of customers just bought this Garnier micellar water that expertly removes makeup and gently cleanses the skin without stripping it bare.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Formulated for normal to dry skin, this gentle daily facial cleanser transforms from a silky oil to a soft, lathering foam that deeply cleanses your skin, effectively removing dirt, excess oil and stubborn makeup without clogging pores, leaving residue or a greasy feeling.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Mindful breathing, meditation, and cupping therapies help clear toxins, while sound bowl and crystal chakra cleanses balance the body’s energy.
—Nina Patel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2025
The exfoliating face wash has become a staple for me thanks to its gentle formula that reduces blackheads and deeply cleanses skin.
—Melony Forcier, People.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Nexxus Amino Bond Shampoo & Conditioner The Amino Bond Repair Shampoo is a sulfate-free shampoo that cleanses and removes build up from the scalp while gently nourishing strands for enhanced strength.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
This essence quickly cleanses and detoxes sensitive skin to soothe it.
—Kirsten Chanel Webber, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
The detoxifying shampoo deeply cleanses the hair at a micro level sans stripping, damaging or irritating the scalp.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Jailynn Taylor, Allure, 1 Jan. 2026
Droves of customers just bought this Garnier micellar water that expertly removes makeup and gently cleanses the skin without stripping it bare.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Formulated for normal to dry skin, this gentle daily facial cleanser transforms from a silky oil to a soft, lathering foam that deeply cleanses your skin, effectively removing dirt, excess oil and stubborn makeup without clogging pores, leaving residue or a greasy feeling.
—Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
Mindful breathing, meditation, and cupping therapies help clear toxins, while sound bowl and crystal chakra cleanses balance the body’s energy.
—Nina Patel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Aug. 2025
The exfoliating face wash has become a staple for me thanks to its gentle formula that reduces blackheads and deeply cleanses skin.
—Melony Forcier, People.com, 17 Aug. 2025
Nexxus Amino Bond Shampoo & Conditioner The Amino Bond Repair Shampoo is a sulfate-free shampoo that cleanses and removes build up from the scalp while gently nourishing strands for enhanced strength.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
This essence quickly cleanses and detoxes sensitive skin to soothe it.
—Kirsten Chanel Webber, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
The detoxifying shampoo deeply cleanses the hair at a micro level sans stripping, damaging or irritating the scalp.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleanses
Verb
-
Unless a Nest user subscribes to a service that allows for quick access to review footage recorded on a device, Google routinely purges the footage rather than retain it indefinitely, said Stacey Higginbotham, a policy fellow at Consumer Reports who specializes in cybersecurity issues.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Unless the Heat releases Terry Rozier or purges some other salary in a trade, Miami would not have enough space to sign a 15th player to a standard contract — and remain under the luxury tax line — until December.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Dish soap cleans more thoroughly in warm or hot water; to use less while washing dishes.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
17 Feb. 2026
-
In 2024, Moshe Friedman, a local rabbi, filed a police complaint against six mohels who practice metzitzah b’peh, a custom in which the circumciser cleans the circumcision wound with oral suction.—
Philissa Cramer,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the biblical sense, the refiner’s fire not only destroys, but purifies the slate clean for novel growth.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Plastic water bottles have been largely eliminated as the resort purifies and bottles its own water.—
John Newton,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Your 5th House of Creativity and Romance warms as the nurturing Moon blends with loving Venus there, encouraging playful expression that potentially heals old insecurities as well.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2026
-
This process closely resembles how human skin heals after a cut.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Consider pausing a debate, rescheduling an extra meeting, or turning a workout into a quiet walk, because solitude restores your energy and lets new ideas surface.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Feb. 2026
-
That approach lowers costs at the source, keeps families in the district, and restores real ownership instead of treating homeownership like a recurring tax base for government.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleanses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleanses. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
