cleanse

verb

ˈklenz How to pronounce cleanse (audio)
Definition of cleansenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 cleanse The Beneš Decrees that ethnically cleansed tens of thousands of Hungarians from southern Slovakia after the war are still affecting contemporary Slovak-Hungarian relations today. — Brett R. Chloupek, The Conversation, 15 July 2026 Elevate your bathing routine with this creamy shower gel that gently cleanses and nourishes your skin with a blend of acai, cupuacu butter and coconut oil. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 July 2026 The star ingredients, rosemary and biotin, work together to deeply nourish and cleanse the scalp and strands, as well as stimulate growth and keratin production. — Tessa Petak, InStyle, 4 July 2026 Naturally, there’s a spa too, specializing in hammam rituals that include a foam massage and hair cleansing to wash out that Bosphorus brine. — Liam Hess, Vogue, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cleanse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleanse
  1. purge
  2. clean
Verb
  • However, the vast majority of these folks did not actually vote, and many asked for their erroneous registrations to be purged, contrary to the Republican fantasy that millions of noncitizens are all gunning to illegally vote.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026
  • Partially funded by the federal government, the institution is governed by a board of regents, which does not have presidential appointees and can’t be purged in the way that the board of the Kennedy Center was.
    — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 25 July 2026
Definition of purge
Verb
  • The bathroom had blood splattered on the wall, so hospital staff asked a janitor to clean it.
    — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Following the recommendations by Abraham, a dryer venting ductwork should be cleaned at least once every two years to ensure proper air flow, maximize the performance of the appliance, and prevent the risk of fire in a home.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of clean

Browse Nearby Words

cleans
cleanse
cleansed
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Cite this Entry

“Cleanse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleanse. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cleanse

Nglish: Translation of cleanse for Spanish Speakers

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