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
Relevance
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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 cleansing
Emily Burns, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
This number one-selling electric toothbrush is equipped with four cleansing modes to whiten and brighten your teeth over time, plus eight replacement heads for convenience.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Unlike thick cleansing balms, this oil treats skin with a silky featherlight touch.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
This cleansing brush has three settings that provide a deep clean on all skin types, removing makeup and SPF so your skin care goes on smoothly (and actually works).
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 2 Oct. 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
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
Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Simply apply it in the morning after cleansing and follow up with the moisturizer and SPF of your choice, though the brand makes a set for those who want the whole routine.
—Caitlyn Martyn
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
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
Verb
Each fragrance is inspired by Bravo Sierra’s scents featured in its body care line, which includes deodorant, $20; a hair and body cleansing bar, $22, and antibacterial body wipes, $18.
—Emily Burns, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
This number one-selling electric toothbrush is equipped with four cleansing modes to whiten and brighten your teeth over time, plus eight replacement heads for convenience.
—Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
Unlike thick cleansing balms, this oil treats skin with a silky featherlight touch.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
This cleansing brush has three settings that provide a deep clean on all skin types, removing makeup and SPF so your skin care goes on smoothly (and actually works).
—Lily Wohlner, Allure, 2 Oct. 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
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
Adjective
Practice standing and walking meditation, the Microcosmic Orbit, Taiji Ruler, the Eight Treasures, cleansing the internal organs, embodying the elements and more.
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025
Simply apply it in the morning after cleansing and follow up with the moisturizer and SPF of your choice, though the brand makes a set for those who want the whole routine.
—Caitlyn Martyn
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleansing
Noun
-
Other impressive perks include a plush home theater, a cigar room with an advanced air purification system, and an auto gallery for displaying your car collection.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
20 Oct. 2025
-
That act also prompted a purification ceremony.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In an interview with Cycling Weekly last year, Slovenian Jan Tratnik said that his desperation to lose weight led him to develop bulimia – binge-eating large amounts of food and purging it to avoid weight gain.—
George Ramsay,
CNN Money,
23 Oct. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
Moisten the disposable sheets with water and a gentle cleaning agent like Dawn dish soap, then use the DIY wet wipes to clean countertops or messy faces.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Spray the piercing with sterile saline wound wash when cleaning it.—
Sherri Gordon,
Health,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Horror seems cathartic, or psychically protective—a safe ritual that admits the reality of violence and cruelty while also warding it off, like a ceremonial demon mask.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Expressing your feelings is cathartic when the sun squares Pluto.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
24 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
-
But both grew immensely from knowing one another, and their finding peace in the finale was one of the more moving moments of the entire series.—
Breanne L. Heldman,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
-
One of the most moving stories in the film is the portrait of a father and son bonding over their love of geek culture.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
This was an impressive tournament that will have surely turned heads.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The most popular ghost story of this cemetery is that of Rufina Cambaceres, a 19-year-old girl who was laid to rest in 1902 in an impressive art nouveau mausoleum.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Some do not have the emotional wherewithal to to observe that others have needs as well.—
Joni Eareckson Tada,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Players, coaches, executives and ownership groups have come and gone, but the team remains despite a lengthy and emotional relocation saga that nearly resulted in a move to Seattle.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleansing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleansing. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share