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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in purifying
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Dissimilar Words
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cleansing
Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
These oils are rich in naturally occurring aromatic compounds that support relaxation, focus, skin cleansing and even natural home cleaning.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Both formulas rely on a blend of surfactants—sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate and cocamidopropyl betaine—as the main cleansing agents, creating lather without overly stripping the hair.
—Allure Editors, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
Soft Services’ buffing bar aims for a bit of physical exfoliation while cleansing.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
In a divided society, some Iranians see a particular resonance in Nowruz this year, with the occasion’s focus on cleansing and rebirth.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Eid al-Fitr is a time of renewal after Ramadan's month of spiritual cleansing, self-restraint and contemplation and is a joyous time to spend with friends and family.
—C. A. Bridges, Oklahoman, 14 Mar. 2026
Two-in-one products used to get demonized—and for good reason—but The Grey’s dual cleansing and shaving mousse is, actually, a really great way to save time and effort.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2026
To apply, add a few drops to your face after cleansing and gently spread the serum on your skin.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 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
Dominic Green, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
The same goes for cleansing with Epsom salt and milk baths.
—Sarah Boden, NPR, 16 Mar. 2026
Nighttime routines used to consist of cleansing your face, putting on a basic retinol, and finishing with a generous slathering of Pond's Cream.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
The rain continues, cleansing the city of its grime.
—Rodrigo Hasbún, Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Manon Coubia‘s gorgeous, whispering first feature is therefore not a film of major dramatic incidents and revelations, though its payoff is clear and cleansing as a mountain spring.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
This drugstore pick is especially designed for anyone experiencing mild or normal shedding due to breakage and helps restore strength by using gentle surfactants while cleansing.
—Jamie Wilson, Glamour, 20 Feb. 2026
These trends are like the hair equivalent of taking a deep, cleansing spring breath.
—Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Feb. 2026
How to use hypochlorous acid Apply HOCl after cleansing your skin but before serums or moisturizers, Garshick says.
—Erica Sweeney, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
That means barrier support, microbiome-friendly cleansing, and anti-inflammatory ingredients, according to MDhair.
—Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
These oils are rich in naturally occurring aromatic compounds that support relaxation, focus, skin cleansing and even natural home cleaning.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 26 Mar. 2026
Both formulas rely on a blend of surfactants—sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate and cocamidopropyl betaine—as the main cleansing agents, creating lather without overly stripping the hair.
—Allure Editors, Allure, 24 Mar. 2026
Soft Services’ buffing bar aims for a bit of physical exfoliation while cleansing.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2026
In a divided society, some Iranians see a particular resonance in Nowruz this year, with the occasion’s focus on cleansing and rebirth.
—Leila Gharagozlou, CNN Money, 20 Mar. 2026
Eid al-Fitr is a time of renewal after Ramadan's month of spiritual cleansing, self-restraint and contemplation and is a joyous time to spend with friends and family.
—C. A. Bridges, Oklahoman, 14 Mar. 2026
Two-in-one products used to get demonized—and for good reason—but The Grey’s dual cleansing and shaving mousse is, actually, a really great way to save time and effort.
—Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2026
To apply, add a few drops to your face after cleansing and gently spread the serum on your skin.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 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
Verb
The tasting begins with a palate-cleansing slurp of Soda Folk.
—Dominic Green, The Washington Examiner, 20 Mar. 2026
The same goes for cleansing with Epsom salt and milk baths.
—Sarah Boden, NPR, 16 Mar. 2026
Nighttime routines used to consist of cleansing your face, putting on a basic retinol, and finishing with a generous slathering of Pond's Cream.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
The rain continues, cleansing the city of its grime.
—Rodrigo Hasbún, Literary Hub, 24 Feb. 2026
Manon Coubia‘s gorgeous, whispering first feature is therefore not a film of major dramatic incidents and revelations, though its payoff is clear and cleansing as a mountain spring.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 Feb. 2026
This drugstore pick is especially designed for anyone experiencing mild or normal shedding due to breakage and helps restore strength by using gentle surfactants while cleansing.
—Jamie Wilson, Glamour, 20 Feb. 2026
These trends are like the hair equivalent of taking a deep, cleansing spring breath.
—Loren Savini, Allure, 14 Feb. 2026
How to use hypochlorous acid Apply HOCl after cleansing your skin but before serums or moisturizers, Garshick says.
—Erica Sweeney, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleansing
Noun
-
Food production, sanitation services, water purification, healthcare services, and more would be greatly diminished, if not stopped entirely.—
Connor Okeeffe,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
-
The return of uranium metal purification is considered critical for maintaining the nuclear materials infrastructure of the United States.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Call this Green Bay South, and buckle up for the uncomfortable ride of purging the roster for draft picks because everything of value will likely be sold off, shipped away if the right offer is made.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Order 1 dissolved the ruling Baath Party and removed all senior party members from their government positions, purging the administrative class that ran its ministries, hospitals and schools.—
Farah N. Jan,
The Conversation,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
For 26 years, Wilson worked in his own carpet-cleaning business, available to customers 24/7.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Chorney was cleaning construction sites and offices across the Lower Mainland, managing client relationships, handling every email, phone call, and quote himself.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And out rushes a blazingly cathartic torrent of honesty and horror.—
Sibani Ram,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
-
The weekend took on a healing, cathartic ceremonial nature that is difficult to put into words.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
20 Mar. 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
-
The Heat is now an impressive 12-4 on the second night of back-to-backs this season.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
There’s also an impressive range of side dishes made with seasonal vegetables.—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Around this time Denise and Aaron filed a civil lawsuit against the City of Vallejo claiming defamation and emotional distress.—
Lauren Clark,
CBS News,
29 Mar. 2026
-
An opportunity to rebuild your emotional foundation arrives as Saturn teams up with Pluto.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleansing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleansing. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.
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