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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in purging
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially
in an elaborate ritual the priestess cleansed the gathering of supplicants
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cleaning
to remove the dirt from
cleanse the wound with soap and water before applying the bandage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in purifying
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cleansing
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 30 Sep. 2025
Double-cleanse with Aprilskin cleansing balm, Eminence daily exfoliating cleanser, Thayer’s toner, Glow Recipe blackberry retinol, and Farmacy honey halo moisturizer.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 26 Sep. 2025
Related Articles Myslf L’Absolu is the latest scent in the Myslf fragrance line, which already includes an eau de parfum, le parfum and cleansing bar.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
The best clarifying shampoo can completely transform a lackluster shower routine, deep cleansing hair, exfoliating the scalp, and banishing excess oils and product buildup that leave strands flat, dull, or frizz-prone.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
After cleansing, my skin feels moist but not sticky.
—Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 24 Sep. 2025
Face washing allows for thorough cleansing if done properly, which allows the skin to better absorb moisturizers or treatments that may be applied afterwards.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2025
Clean thinking New from K-beauty brand, Belif, is the Aqua Bomb Smart Cleansing Oil Balm—a soothing cleansing balm that gently removes all traces of makeup (and travel grime) in one step.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
To achieve a product that offers poreless, glowing results, the Detox Mask is formulated with rare, Eastern botanical ingredients like cleansing and skin-tightening Thanaka wood, hydrating cactus extract, and acne-soothing marigold extract.
—Abby Dupes, StyleCaster, 5 Sep. 2025
Lily Wohlner, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
LaVon suggests gently cleansing the scalp with a refresher spray after sweating, followed by a few drops of lightweight oil like grapeseed.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
The type of breakout determines which cleansing ingredient would work best.
—Khanh T.l. Tran, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
From cleansing the harbor from over a century of industrial pollution to preserving the Waukegan Dunes running the length of the city’s north beach, the environment played a key role in the evolution of the lakefront.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Ahead, the very best Korean cleansing oils that deliver on their promises—and might just turn cleansing into your favorite part of the day.
—Denise Primbet, Glamour, 26 Aug. 2025
Use it right after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer for a plumper, more youthful glow.
—Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2025
Making this frosty, palate-cleansing cucumber cooler from Brooklyn’s Pies ’n’ Thighs couldn’t be easier.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 20 Aug. 2025
This will reduce, or even eliminate, how much manual data management and cleansing your team will have to do in order to keep the algorithm drawing on up-to-date data.
—Michael Amori, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
The formula features bentonite and kaolin clays for deep cleansing and oil absorption, while glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids gently exfoliate to refine skin texture.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 30 Sep. 2025
Double-cleanse with Aprilskin cleansing balm, Eminence daily exfoliating cleanser, Thayer’s toner, Glow Recipe blackberry retinol, and Farmacy honey halo moisturizer.
—R29 Team, Refinery29, 26 Sep. 2025
Related Articles Myslf L’Absolu is the latest scent in the Myslf fragrance line, which already includes an eau de parfum, le parfum and cleansing bar.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025
The best clarifying shampoo can completely transform a lackluster shower routine, deep cleansing hair, exfoliating the scalp, and banishing excess oils and product buildup that leave strands flat, dull, or frizz-prone.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
After cleansing, my skin feels moist but not sticky.
—Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 24 Sep. 2025
Face washing allows for thorough cleansing if done properly, which allows the skin to better absorb moisturizers or treatments that may be applied afterwards.
—Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 16 Sep. 2025
Clean thinking New from K-beauty brand, Belif, is the Aqua Bomb Smart Cleansing Oil Balm—a soothing cleansing balm that gently removes all traces of makeup (and travel grime) in one step.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
To achieve a product that offers poreless, glowing results, the Detox Mask is formulated with rare, Eastern botanical ingredients like cleansing and skin-tightening Thanaka wood, hydrating cactus extract, and acne-soothing marigold extract.
—Abby Dupes, StyleCaster, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
As far as use goes, the brand suggests cleansing as usual before using the bar as a second cleanse to kill the acne-causing oils and bacteria and offer deeper exfoliation.
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
LaVon suggests gently cleansing the scalp with a refresher spray after sweating, followed by a few drops of lightweight oil like grapeseed.
—Larry Stansbury, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025
The type of breakout determines which cleansing ingredient would work best.
—Khanh T.l. Tran, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
From cleansing the harbor from over a century of industrial pollution to preserving the Waukegan Dunes running the length of the city’s north beach, the environment played a key role in the evolution of the lakefront.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025
Ahead, the very best Korean cleansing oils that deliver on their promises—and might just turn cleansing into your favorite part of the day.
—Denise Primbet, Glamour, 26 Aug. 2025
Use it right after cleansing and toning and before your moisturizer for a plumper, more youthful glow.
—Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 22 Aug. 2025
Making this frosty, palate-cleansing cucumber cooler from Brooklyn’s Pies ’n’ Thighs couldn’t be easier.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 20 Aug. 2025
This will reduce, or even eliminate, how much manual data management and cleansing your team will have to do in order to keep the algorithm drawing on up-to-date data.
—Michael Amori, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleansing
Noun
-
Depending on the season, choose between a cooling fan mode or a backward air flow for sole purification.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Researchers at Sun Yat-sen University, China, have developed a new water purification film.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The country is undergoing a regulatory overhaul since Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad dissolved parliament in 2024, with reforms accompanied by purging citizenships the government says were fraudulently obtained, though rights groups say political opponents have also been targeted.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Emma primarily accesses her power by purging or eating.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Vents And Grilles Undertake this deep-cleaning task to prevent dust and hair from blowing around the house.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Blanca gets paid under the table by cleaning and cooking for neighbors.—
Gisela Salomon,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
For Kerr, seeing his story unfold on screen was cathartic not in spite of but because of the actors’ willingness to present the characters at their most emotionally extreme.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
2 Oct. 2025
-
She's previously shared her own experiences on knowing when to let go, finding self-love and using journaling as a cathartic release.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
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
-
Our audience responses were the most moving part of this entire journey.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Sep. 2025
-
That unscripted hymn may have been the most moving moment of his Presidency.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The 44-year-old driver led the race for an impressive 159 laps, and a win seemed like an easy thing to achieve.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Johnson’s performance is humble rather than showy, an impressive feat of control and restraint.—
Richard Lawson,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The entire scene unfolded on Neuheisel’s network, which invited viewers to witness the emotional roller coaster of a father rooting for his son.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
See the emotional exchange here.—
Griselda Flores,
Billboard,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleansing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleansing. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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