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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in purifying
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Recent Examples of cleansing
Nagesh Nama, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
To achieve a product that offers poreless, glowing results, the Detox Mask is formulated with rare, Eastern botanical ingredients like cleansing and skin-tightening Thanaka wood, hydrating cactus extract, and acne-soothing marigold extract.
—Abby Dupes, StyleCaster, 5 Sep. 2025
If your skin feels tight and stripped after cleansing, this lightweight toner will restore balance and hydration quickly.
—Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
It can be used for moisturizing, cleansing, and soothing irritated skin and as a laxative in enemas or suppositories.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
This Apple Butter Cleansing Balm — the first cleansing balm for the brand — has a rich, apple-butter–like texture and a delicious crisp apple scent.
—Jackie Fields, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The spa menu includes massages, facials, and six healing rituals, such as the Restu Bumi, a spiritual cleansing massage featuring local tools, herbs, and warm gemstones.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025
Whether your teen wears makeup or not, cleansing helps wash dirt and oil that might irritate the skin.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 Aug. 2025
Jaliman explains that consistent skincare habits such as cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection can help preserve collagen and elasticity, which prevents sagging around the jaw and neck.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 12 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
Making this frosty, palate-cleansing cucumber cooler from Brooklyn’s Pies ’n’ Thighs couldn’t be easier.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 20 Aug. 2025
This will reduce, or even eliminate, how much manual data management and cleansing your team will have to do in order to keep the algorithm drawing on up-to-date data.
—Michael Amori, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Verb
Processing and orchestration form the next layer, where cleansing, validation and transformation are automated, and CI/CD practices are applied to data pipelines.
—Nagesh Nama, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
To achieve a product that offers poreless, glowing results, the Detox Mask is formulated with rare, Eastern botanical ingredients like cleansing and skin-tightening Thanaka wood, hydrating cactus extract, and acne-soothing marigold extract.
—Abby Dupes, StyleCaster, 5 Sep. 2025
If your skin feels tight and stripped after cleansing, this lightweight toner will restore balance and hydration quickly.
—Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
It can be used for moisturizing, cleansing, and soothing irritated skin and as a laxative in enemas or suppositories.
—Lauren O'Connor, Health, 2 Sep. 2025
This Apple Butter Cleansing Balm — the first cleansing balm for the brand — has a rich, apple-butter–like texture and a delicious crisp apple scent.
—Jackie Fields, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
The spa menu includes massages, facials, and six healing rituals, such as the Restu Bumi, a spiritual cleansing massage featuring local tools, herbs, and warm gemstones.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025
Whether your teen wears makeup or not, cleansing helps wash dirt and oil that might irritate the skin.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 29 Aug. 2025
Jaliman explains that consistent skincare habits such as cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection can help preserve collagen and elasticity, which prevents sagging around the jaw and neck.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Over the years, Origins has built a roster of skin-care staples that have earned a loyal following and plenty of editor love, like nourishing cleansing balms, hardworking chemical peels, and deliciously scented body lotions.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 12 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
Making this frosty, palate-cleansing cucumber cooler from Brooklyn’s Pies ’n’ Thighs couldn’t be easier.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 20 Aug. 2025
This will reduce, or even eliminate, how much manual data management and cleansing your team will have to do in order to keep the algorithm drawing on up-to-date data.
—Michael Amori, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleansing
Noun
-
Katadyn BeFree Water Filter Bottle This may sound like an obvious tip, but Jackson advises even day hikers to pack a water purification system.—
Jillian Dara,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Piramal Sarvajal didn’t try to sell water purification boxes.—
Stephen Wunker,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The group accomplished a dazzling political ascent largely by purging their rivals within the party.—
Laura Gersony,
AZCentral.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Maddie hides her binging and purging from Deena and Jake, lying about being pregnant to distract her husband from what’s really going on.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Doctors struggle to access complete patient histories, researchers spend months cleaning inconsistent datasets, and hospitals face spiraling costs just to keep outdated systems running.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
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But, cleaning it regularly and keeping the space well-ventilated greatly helps prevent the build up of mold.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Painful, patient, and cathartic, Hamnet’s finale will overwhelm you with the faith in art as a salve for grief.—
Taylor Antrim,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Justin Herbert’s huge night in the Chargers’ 27-21 victory over Kansas City felt cathartic but was not an anomaly.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Then, keep scrolling to check out more moving essentials like vacuum space-saver bags and heavy-duty tape.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Experts say heavy bomber drones are very useful against non-moving targets, as well as against groups of soldiers or bunkers, but are typically used at night.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet last week’s warning from Jet2, a business respected for its cost control and excellent customer service, has served as a reminder that, for all the impressive growth of recent years, this remains a volatile and sometimes unpredictable sector.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
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This ambitious tour spans multiple continents, covering several countries and cities with an impressive run of dates.—
Jenzia Burgos,
StyleCaster,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
To navigate emotional volatility, understand what behaviors are acceptable to you and create clear boundaries with the ones that are not.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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The emotions of that victory two years ago were apparent at the time — Sirianni was bombastic exiting the field after the emotional win — but there is no concept of revenge this time.—
Zach Berman,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cleansing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleansing. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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