1
as in to purge
to free from moral guilt or blemish especially ceremonially
in an elaborate ritual the priestess cleansed the gathering of supplicants
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to clean
to remove the dirt from
cleanse the wound with soap and water before applying the bandage
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cleanse
From the outset, this was never championship or bust, but rather more a year to cleanse the stench of last season’s playoff-opening rout at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the most lopsided series loss in NBA postseason history.
—
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Your skin is already producing less oil, so the goal is to cleanse without stripping what’s left.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 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
See All Example Sentences for cleanse
Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
Your skin is already producing less oil, so the goal is to cleanse without stripping what’s left.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 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
See All Example Sentences for cleanse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleanse
Verb
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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
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Roenicke never had a chance, taking over a team that would soon go on a salary dump that purged Betts, the 2018 AL MVP, along with 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner David Price.—
Jimmy Golen,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The great-great-grandson of Frank Zamboni, the inventor of his namesake ice-cleaning vehicle, attended his first postseason game since the Comeback on Katella, a Ducks double-overtime victory over Edmonton in the second round in 2017.—
Todd Harmonson,
Oc Register,
25 Apr. 2026
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The Miami Dolphins cleaned house this offseason, then raided the Packers’ to figure out their new direction.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleanse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleanse. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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