as in purification
the act or fact of freeing from sin or moral guilt
underwent a cleansing before he could enter the temple's most sacred chamber
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as in purifying
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1
as in purging
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially
in an elaborate ritual the priestess cleansed the gathering of supplicants
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cleaning
to remove the dirt from
cleanse the wound with soap and water before applying the bandage
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cleansing
Aimee Simeon, Glamour, 7 May 2026
Bathing, cleansing and cooking vary by market.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
No side that defends this badly from front to back can hope for European qualification through the Premier League next season, and humiliation against Manchester City in the FA Cup final looks a far likelier outcome than a palate-cleansing triumph.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 4 May 2026
The songs were radiant, ecstatic, and cleansing, a deep exhale from a band freed from boardroom expectations.
—Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
The 2025 Best of Beauty Award-winning Biolage’s Color Last Shampoo and Conditioner are designed to help do just that, using a gentle cleansing base paired with conditioning agents to keep hair soft without stripping your shade.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Apr. 2026
Pros & Cons The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx is a multifunction smart air purifier that uses HEPA and carbon filtration to remove harmful airborne pollutants and employs ultraviolet cleansing technology to deliver cool, clean, moist air.
—John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026
To apply, add a few drops to your face after cleansing and gently spread the serum on your skin.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
Inspired by the traditional Korean beauty ritual of rice-water cleansing, this shampoo focuses on boosting natural luminosity and deep hydration.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Dec. 2025
Mario Badescu’s no-frills formula refines pores and soothes skin post-cleansing with witch hazel and rose water.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2025
Exploring divine Love’s infinite nature is so cleansing.
—Mark Swinney, Christian Science Monitor, 6 May 2025
Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 8 May 2026
The brand’s hero product, its Plum Beauty Oil, is also the brand’s hero ingredient across top sellers, including its Plumscreen sun screen and the brand’s cleansing oil.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
The formula pairs a deeper-cleansing base with glycerin, honey, and nourishing oils like coconut, avocado, and argan to lift buildup without that stripped, dry feeling that can trigger frizz.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Apr. 2026
Pat it in after cleansing and your skin feels instantly juicier.
—Anita Bhagwandas, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
While cleansing conditioners will gently clean your curls, don’t expect the product to lather much.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Undeveloped land supports essential ecosystem services, cleansing and protecting our drinking water, safeguarding our communities and residents from flooding and inundation due to sea-level rise, supporting wildlife habitat and providing myriad recreational opportunities.
—Tom Hoctor, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Use it after cleansing and prepare to be wowed by how smooth your skin feels.
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 1 Apr. 2026
The tasting begins with a palate-cleansing slurp of Soda Folk.
—Dominic Green, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
Noun
Because natural oils don't travel easily down the spiral shape of a curl, curly hair is more prone to frizz, split ends, and breakage than straight hair—which means the cleansing step matters more than most people realize.
—Aimee Simeon, Glamour, 7 May 2026
Bathing, cleansing and cooking vary by market.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
No side that defends this badly from front to back can hope for European qualification through the Premier League next season, and humiliation against Manchester City in the FA Cup final looks a far likelier outcome than a palate-cleansing triumph.
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 4 May 2026
The songs were radiant, ecstatic, and cleansing, a deep exhale from a band freed from boardroom expectations.
—Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
The 2025 Best of Beauty Award-winning Biolage’s Color Last Shampoo and Conditioner are designed to help do just that, using a gentle cleansing base paired with conditioning agents to keep hair soft without stripping your shade.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Apr. 2026
Pros & Cons The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx is a multifunction smart air purifier that uses HEPA and carbon filtration to remove harmful airborne pollutants and employs ultraviolet cleansing technology to deliver cool, clean, moist air.
—John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026
To apply, add a few drops to your face after cleansing and gently spread the serum on your skin.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
Inspired by the traditional Korean beauty ritual of rice-water cleansing, this shampoo focuses on boosting natural luminosity and deep hydration.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
To use the bestseller, distribute three pumps over the face and neck daily, post-cleansing, and start savoring its impressive effects after a couple of months of consistent application.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 26 Dec. 2025
Mario Badescu’s no-frills formula refines pores and soothes skin post-cleansing with witch hazel and rose water.
—Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 18 Nov. 2025
Exploring divine Love’s infinite nature is so cleansing.
—Mark Swinney, Christian Science Monitor, 6 May 2025
Verb
While the norm is that a toner should be an astringent that removes grime and dirt while balancing the pH, Korean toners work to give the skin instant hydration as the first step after cleansing with a face wash.
—Rosa Jisoo Pyo, Vogue, 8 May 2026
The brand’s hero product, its Plum Beauty Oil, is also the brand’s hero ingredient across top sellers, including its Plumscreen sun screen and the brand’s cleansing oil.
—James Manso, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
The formula pairs a deeper-cleansing base with glycerin, honey, and nourishing oils like coconut, avocado, and argan to lift buildup without that stripped, dry feeling that can trigger frizz.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Apr. 2026
Pat it in after cleansing and your skin feels instantly juicier.
—Anita Bhagwandas, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
While cleansing conditioners will gently clean your curls, don’t expect the product to lather much.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Undeveloped land supports essential ecosystem services, cleansing and protecting our drinking water, safeguarding our communities and residents from flooding and inundation due to sea-level rise, supporting wildlife habitat and providing myriad recreational opportunities.
—Tom Hoctor, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Use it after cleansing and prepare to be wowed by how smooth your skin feels.
—Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 1 Apr. 2026
The tasting begins with a palate-cleansing slurp of Soda Folk.
—Dominic Green, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleansing
Noun
-
To address this problem, the team developed a purification process that completely removed residual inorganic salts from the PILs.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 May 2026
-
Look for non-ionizing air purification; ionizing air filters can generate ozone, which worsens indoor air quality.—
Levi Keller,
The Conversation,
5 May 2026
Verb
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The data shows that black and brown people spend much longer time, in longer lines, purging people, people literally showing up and not knowing that their names have been purged from the rolls.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
-
The administration has provided no explanation for purging the board, which helps steer the National Science Foundation and acts as an independent advisory body for the president and Congress on scientific and engineering issues, providing reports throughout the year.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
On May 6, 2016, Kianna and her sister, Miah, were home cleaning the house for Mother’s Day while Fiona was work.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Rescuers pulled his body from the water after half an hour and rushed him to Los Angeles General Medical Center, where Michelle works on the overnight cleaning crew.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
The dinner scene with Niall’s mum, Lori (Neve McIntosh), and Ruben’s mum, Maura (Marianne McIvor) — when Joanna confronts them over Ruben’s behaviour — is both chilling and cathartic.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
8 May 2026
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As Estes notes, more than a few of these products had active ingredients that were cathartic or purgative, a fact rarely noted on labels.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Many stepwells were used for ablution; the tanks associated with mosques, Hindu temples and other shrines offered the most purificatory form. Summoning water from the depths was also a symbol of temporal power.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
13 July 2019
Adjective
-
Violators could be ticketed similar to a non-moving violation for a driver.—
Jim Turner,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Each wrong turn is bittersweet, making the eventual reunion even more moving and meaningful.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Sara Gyorgy has put together the most impressive resume in the Fort Worth-area and can return for a senior season to chase her fourth state title.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 May 2026
-
This is the latest impressive pop music booking for PeoplesBank Arena, the downtown Hartford venue previously known as Hartford Civic Center and XL Center, which underwent a major renovation as well as a name change last year.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
Language development, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and relationship-building all begin before age three.—
Tina Dello Russo,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
The set was an emotional roller coaster with four deuces and eight service errors by the Highlanders.—
Justin Vigil Zuniga,
Daily News,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleansing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleansing. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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