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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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
Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
The brand also recommends using a leather cleansing cream to treat the shoes for ensured longevity.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
The interaction was made even more awkward by the fact that Shannon was already standing right there with arms wide open in anticipation of a warm, cleansing embrace.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
In Costa Rica, Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Collection offers the River Bath — an aura cleansing ritual that involves a detoxifying scrub and a warm herbal soak to a soundtrack of birdsong and flowing water.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Novakova underwent ritual cleansing with herbal smoke before being welcomed to the wild terrain to film.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
Try a traditional Mayan sweat lodge in the temazcal ceremony, an ancient cleansing ritual that helps renew body and spirit.
—AFAR Media, 24 Oct. 2025
Use micellar cleansing water to cleanse your hair.
—Donnetta Monk, Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
Cannabis is not a hurricane, where more force means more cleansing.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 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
Noun
Of course, cleansing is her first step.
—Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2025
The brand also recommends using a leather cleansing cream to treat the shoes for ensured longevity.
—Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
The interaction was made even more awkward by the fact that Shannon was already standing right there with arms wide open in anticipation of a warm, cleansing embrace.
—Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
In Costa Rica, Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Collection offers the River Bath — an aura cleansing ritual that involves a detoxifying scrub and a warm herbal soak to a soundtrack of birdsong and flowing water.
—Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025
Novakova underwent ritual cleansing with herbal smoke before being welcomed to the wild terrain to film.
—Will Tizard, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
Try a traditional Mayan sweat lodge in the temazcal ceremony, an ancient cleansing ritual that helps renew body and spirit.
—AFAR Media, 24 Oct. 2025
Use micellar cleansing water to cleanse your hair.
—Donnetta Monk, Essence, 24 Oct. 2025
Cannabis is not a hurricane, where more force means more cleansing.
—Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
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Guests may choose a water treatment in a pool that evokes the area’s limestone cenotes (underground wells) or try a purification by a local healer in a temazcal (a traditional heated lodge), among many other journeys for mind and body well-being.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
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Moreover, the purification and refining process works with many types of biowaste, notably food, sewage sludge, algal bloom, swine manure, and agricultural residue.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ross needs to lean into purging this franchise of its mediocre ways, which has turned a generation of South Florida fans away from football.—
Omar Kelly
October 31,
Miami Herald,
31 Oct. 2025
-
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
Verb
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In addition to the convenience factor, dishwasher pods are also popular due to their effectiveness in cleaning dishes.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Nov. 2025
-
And even the most devoted coffee people can sometimes skimp on deep-cleaning their equipment.—
Noah Kaufman,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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As Victor lies dying and the Creature tells his version of the story, the film concludes with a cathartic release for both.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
-
What starts as a cathartic process spirals out-of-control, as the line between justice and madness blurs.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 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
-
This means better reach and penetration even in rural or moving-RV scenarios.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
-
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
Adjective
-
Brazil is set to introduce an ambitious and innovative new system for financing forest protection (more on that below) and Lula comes into COP30 with an impressive record of successful forest protection.—
Jeff Young,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
From the facade crafted from hinoki wood, a rare cypress that’s often reserved for Japanese temples and shrines, to impressive cultural programming and exhibitions, there’s always something worth seeing.—
Jade Moyano,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Shouts for it will be met by angry fingers jutted towards the various gaffes played ad nauseam on Sky Sports’ weekly Ref Watch, or the mandatory pause before the emotional unleashing as VAR mulls over whether a goal is a goal or just a hoax.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
But del Toro expands the emotional spectrum with forgiveness.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleansing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleansing. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
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