cleanse

/klɛnz/
/klɛnz/
IPA guide

Other forms: cleansed; cleansing; cleanses

Definitions of cleanse
  1. verb
    clean one's body or parts thereof, as by washing
    synonyms: clean
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    types:
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    bathe
    cleanse the entire body
    wash
    to cleanse (itself or another animal) by licking
    lave, wash
    cleanse (one's body) with soap and water
    lather, soap
    rub soap all over, usually with the purpose of cleaning
    bath, bathe
    clean one's body by immersion into water
    douche
    direct a spray of water into a bodily cavity, for cleaning
    floss
    use dental floss to clean
    decontaminate
    rid of contamination
    shower
    take a shower; wash one's body in the shower
    foment
    bathe with warm water or medicated lotions
    sponge down
    wash with a sponge
    scrub, scrub up
    wash thoroughly
    gargle, rinse
    rinse one's mouth and throat with mouthwash
    shampoo
    use shampoo on (hair)
    hush
    wash by removing particles
    type of:
    groom, neaten
    care for one's external appearance
  2. verb
    purge of an ideology, bad thoughts, or sins
    “Purgatory is supposed to cleanse you from your sins”
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    types:
    denazify
    free from Nazi ideology or detach from Nazi allegiance
    type of:
    disembarrass, free, rid
    relieve from
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘cleanse'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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