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
as in purifying
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Dissimilar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of cleansing
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
After cleansing, use Clinique’s Clarifying Lotion to gently exfoliate, which comes in five varieties for skin types from sensitive to very dry, oily, and everything in between.
—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
Like many of the best Korean cleansing oils, Manyo's Pure Cleansing Oil is a dream for dry skin.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 June 2026
Premium skincare products are also on sale, including EltaMD sunscreen, Hero's Mighty Patches, and the Elemis cleansing balm.
—
Meaghan Kenny,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 June 2026
Korean cleansing oils help with this problem by thoroughly washing away impurities without the harsh stripping.
—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
23 June 2026
Korean skin care is known for its focus on restoring radiance, and this Sulwhasoo cleansing foam is no exception.
—
Kieaundria Bellamy,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
Be prepared for anything with this portable emergency kit that comes with Band-Aids, Neosporin, Tylenol, cleansing wipes, gauze pads, and more.
—
Jackie Cucco,
Travel + Leisure,
23 June 2026
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,
9 June 2026
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
24 June 2026
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
Liam Hess,
Vogue,
1 July 2026
Contrary to what those face-washing commercials from our childhood led us to believe, your skin doesn't need to feel tight or squeaky-clean after cleansing.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 June 2026
Take up to 30% off these cleansing oils that will completely change your face-wash routine.
—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
23 June 2026
An amuse bouche opened the meal, a palate-cleansing sorbet marked the end of the dinner and the beginning of dessert, and a little treat, and the end felt like a festive way to linger a little longer and celebrate a special meal.
—
Christine Sarkis,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Priorities should be cleansing, hydration and protection, added hairstylist Carissa Cortez.
—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
This cleanser brings a spa-like experience straight to your bathroom, thoroughly cleansing the skin without ever leaving it gasping for moisture.
—
Kieaundria Bellamy,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
Next is purifying and hydrating with the Body Wash, which moisturizes and plumps skin while deeply cleansing pores, strengthening the skin barrier and triggering cellular regeneration.
—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Enjoy a few minutes of peace in the shower while cleansing and moisturizing your skin.
—
Laura Lu,
Parents,
22 May 2026
Noun
An everything shower is a comprehensive bathing ritual that bundles regular cleansing with extras like exfoliating, shaving, hair masking and scalp treatments into a single session.
—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Sacbee.com,
30 June 2026
After cleansing, use Clinique’s Clarifying Lotion to gently exfoliate, which comes in five varieties for skin types from sensitive to very dry, oily, and everything in between.
—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
26 June 2026
Like many of the best Korean cleansing oils, Manyo's Pure Cleansing Oil is a dream for dry skin.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 June 2026
Premium skincare products are also on sale, including EltaMD sunscreen, Hero's Mighty Patches, and the Elemis cleansing balm.
—
Meaghan Kenny,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 June 2026
Korean cleansing oils help with this problem by thoroughly washing away impurities without the harsh stripping.
—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
23 June 2026
Korean skin care is known for its focus on restoring radiance, and this Sulwhasoo cleansing foam is no exception.
—
Kieaundria Bellamy,
InStyle,
23 June 2026
Be prepared for anything with this portable emergency kit that comes with Band-Aids, Neosporin, Tylenol, cleansing wipes, gauze pads, and more.
—
Jackie Cucco,
Travel + Leisure,
23 June 2026
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,
9 June 2026
Adjective
The in-shower treatment is meant to be used post-cleansing; simply massage it into wet hair and rinse it out two-to-three times a week.
—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
24 June 2026
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
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
Contrary to what those face-washing commercials from our childhood led us to believe, your skin doesn't need to feel tight or squeaky-clean after cleansing.
—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 June 2026
Take up to 30% off these cleansing oils that will completely change your face-wash routine.
—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
23 June 2026
An amuse bouche opened the meal, a palate-cleansing sorbet marked the end of the dinner and the beginning of dessert, and a little treat, and the end felt like a festive way to linger a little longer and celebrate a special meal.
—
Christine Sarkis,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Priorities should be cleansing, hydration and protection, added hairstylist Carissa Cortez.
—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
This cleanser brings a spa-like experience straight to your bathroom, thoroughly cleansing the skin without ever leaving it gasping for moisture.
—
Kieaundria Bellamy,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
Next is purifying and hydrating with the Body Wash, which moisturizes and plumps skin while deeply cleansing pores, strengthening the skin barrier and triggering cellular regeneration.
—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Enjoy a few minutes of peace in the shower while cleansing and moisturizing your skin.
—
Laura Lu,
Parents,
22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleansing
Noun
-
Potential applications include purifying pyrolysis oil produced from waste plastics, recovering industrial solvents used in battery manufacturing, pharmaceutical purification, and biofuel production.
-
Temazcal is a traditional sweat lodge used for physical and spiritual purification.
Adjective
-
For Siddiq, who served time in prison before turning to comedy, joke-telling is cathartic.
-
After holding these characters in psychological suspension for so long, the show finally puts them in a position for a cathartic finish.
Verb
-
Lower courts have ruled against Arizona’s method of purging voter rolls within 90 days of an election.
-
Here was a symbolic way of purging Hindu society of untouchability.
Verb
-
Then, cleaning robots would handle waste detection and room upkeep using AI.
-
Another green measure is the recycling of soap bars through cleaning solutions company Diversy’s Soap for Hope program.
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.
Adjective
-
To discover that the notes corresponded to where there was more human activity was really very moving.
-
The report conducted by the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California analyzed 2023-24 traffic stop data and found that Sacramento police disproportionately stopped Black drivers, often for minor vehicle equipment or non-moving violations.
Adjective
-
Rooms frame garden and water views through floor-to-ceiling windows, with wraparound balconies in Sea Suites facing Istanbul’s impressive skyline.
-
So, even more impressive to me is the way these grills can hold hot flames stable.
Adjective
-
Contreras, meanwhile, entered Tuesday's game after an emotional stretch.
-
Humanitarian workers say the emotional toll is becoming increasingly visible inside temporary shelters.
Cite this Entry
“Cleansing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleansing. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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