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
Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
The 2025 Best of Beauty Award-winning Biolage’s Color Last Shampoo and Conditioner are designed to help do just that, using a gentle cleansing base paired with conditioning agents to keep hair soft without stripping your shade.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Apr. 2026
Pros & Cons The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx is a multifunction smart air purifier that uses HEPA and carbon filtration to remove harmful airborne pollutants and employs ultraviolet cleansing technology to deliver cool, clean, moist air.
—John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026
To apply, add a few drops to your face after cleansing and gently spread the serum on your skin.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
Inspired by the traditional Korean beauty ritual of rice-water cleansing, this shampoo focuses on boosting natural luminosity and deep hydration.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026
Rethink your cleanser Over-cleansing is a common misstep that can quietly undermine an otherwise strong skincare routine.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Extend that same philosophy to all your skin prep products, including cleanser, cleansing oil, eye cream, ampoule, sunscreen, and serum.
—Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2026
Solid Face Cleanser combines gentle yet effective ingredients for a luxurious cleansing experience.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 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
Exploring divine Love’s infinite nature is so cleansing.
—Mark Swinney, Christian Science Monitor, 6 May 2025
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
While cleansing conditioners will gently clean your curls, don’t expect the product to lather much.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Undeveloped land supports essential ecosystem services, cleansing and protecting our drinking water, safeguarding our communities and residents from flooding and inundation due to sea-level rise, supporting wildlife habitat and providing myriad recreational opportunities.
—Tom Hoctor, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 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
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
Noun
The songs were radiant, ecstatic, and cleansing, a deep exhale from a band freed from boardroom expectations.
—Dan Stahl, New Yorker, 1 May 2026
The 2025 Best of Beauty Award-winning Biolage’s Color Last Shampoo and Conditioner are designed to help do just that, using a gentle cleansing base paired with conditioning agents to keep hair soft without stripping your shade.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Apr. 2026
Pros & Cons The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool PH2 De-NOx is a multifunction smart air purifier that uses HEPA and carbon filtration to remove harmful airborne pollutants and employs ultraviolet cleansing technology to deliver cool, clean, moist air.
—John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 28 Apr. 2026
To apply, add a few drops to your face after cleansing and gently spread the serum on your skin.
—Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 28 Apr. 2026
Inspired by the traditional Korean beauty ritual of rice-water cleansing, this shampoo focuses on boosting natural luminosity and deep hydration.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Apr. 2026
Rethink your cleanser Over-cleansing is a common misstep that can quietly undermine an otherwise strong skincare routine.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Extend that same philosophy to all your skin prep products, including cleanser, cleansing oil, eye cream, ampoule, sunscreen, and serum.
—Sarah Y. Wu, Glamour, 22 Apr. 2026
Solid Face Cleanser combines gentle yet effective ingredients for a luxurious cleansing experience.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 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
Exploring divine Love’s infinite nature is so cleansing.
—Mark Swinney, Christian Science Monitor, 6 May 2025
Verb
You will be assigned a personal chef who cooks breakfast and dinners that are low in carbs but high in flavors, headlining the palate-cleansing Asian flavors of chili, ginger, and lime.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026
While cleansing conditioners will gently clean your curls, don’t expect the product to lather much.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026
Undeveloped land supports essential ecosystem services, cleansing and protecting our drinking water, safeguarding our communities and residents from flooding and inundation due to sea-level rise, supporting wildlife habitat and providing myriad recreational opportunities.
—Tom Hoctor, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleansing
Noun
-
At the very least, clean it once a week to prevent mineral buildup and bacterial and mold growth, says Tim David, CEO at Airlucent, a company specializing in air purification.—
Terri Williams,
Architectural Digest,
16 Apr. 2026
-
This is an album of spine-tingling purification.—
David Harris,
SPIN,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One or more of the agencies compiling these lists — the Illinois State Board of Elections, the Secretary of State, and the Illinois Department of Employment Security, evidently is not purging dead people from its lists, Mertes said.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
While purging senior military leaders, Xi has grown and modernized China’s army, navy, and air force; improved its cyberwarfare; and upgraded its nuclear arsenal.—
Michael Sheridan,
Vanity Fair,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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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However, Steve Evans, owner of Memphis Maids, extolls the virtues of regularly cleaning above and around your cabinetry.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That’s why the Pistons’ 30-3 run to start the third quarter must have been so cathartic for Pistons fans.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The result is an album of cathartic sounds where Icona Pop brazenly shed the past.—
Charisma Madarang,
Rolling Stone,
24 Apr. 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
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Minnesota has largely kept them to the perimeter, making life a little easier on impressive rookie goaltender Jesper Wallstedt.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Like many cushion foundations, shade ranges can skew limited—K-beauty brands have historically catered to a narrower spectrum—but this one is a bit more impressive, with 20 shades to choose from.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Snitker grew emotional while thanking his friend and mentor in his speech.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
26 Apr. 2026
-
His emotional reaction to the announcement of his name was caught on camera during the draft telecast.—
Steve Megargee,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cleansing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleansing. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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