cleanse

[ klenz ]

verb (used with object)

, cleansed, cleans·ing.

1. to make clean.
2. to remove by or as if by cleaning:

   to cleanse sin from the soul.

verb (used without object)

, cleansed, cleans·ing.

1. to become clean.

cleanse

/ klɛnz /

verb

1. to remove dirt, filth, etc, from
2. to remove guilt from
3. to remove a group of people from (an area) by means of ethnic cleansing

Derived Forms

• ˈcleansable, adjective

Other Words From

• cleansa·ble adjective
• re·cleanse verb (used with object) recleansed recleansing
• un·cleansa·ble adjective
• un·cleansed adjective
• well-cleansed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cleanse¹

before 900; Middle English clensen, Old English clǣnsian, equivalent to clǣne clean + -si- v. suffix + -an infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of cleanse¹

Old English clǣnsian; related to Middle Low German klēnsen; see clean

Synonym Study

See clean.

Example Sentences

He and his team are investigating how well materials such as charcoal can cleanse stormwater.

From Popular-Science

When the daughter announced she saw it walking down the hall, they sent the doll away and cleansed the home with holy water.

From Washington Post

Soapy suds for cleansing hands and bodies usually contain fragrances.

From Science News For Students

Employees in the vehicles do not have hand sanitizer or another method to cleanse hands while away from the station.

From ProPublica

I think it’s to cleanse their image more than anything, to wipe away the judgment and the perception that they are enemies of progress, which is what it seemed like back then.

From Freakonomics

Underneath minimalistic names like Detox and Cleanse, enticing descriptions of the fluid medicine bags help narrow the choices.

From The Daily Beast

The bucket of water-filled prayers she will use three times to “cleanse away her shame.”

From The Daily Beast

It is bad enough when credulous but healthy people buy worthless cleanse kits and eat too much kale.

From The Daily Beast

With every health trend, every celebrity-endorsed “superfood” and faddish juice cleanse comes the inevitable backlash.

From The Daily Beast

But could something quite sensible lie behind this hokey-sounding separation cleanse?

From The Daily Beast

Turn away from sin and order thy hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all offence.

From Project Gutenberg

Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside thereof may become clean also.

From Project Gutenberg

He stood there knowing that I knew that he had done something wrong and he was trying to cleanse himself of it.

From Project Gutenberg

There is neither soap, water, nor towel, to cleanse yourself when you rise in the morning.

From Project Gutenberg

The first milk of the cow after calving, is slightly purgative, which is essential to cleanse the stomach of the calf.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• disinfect
• purge
• restore
• sanitize