CLEANS Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

cleans

verb

present tense third-person singular of clean

as in cleanses

to remove the dirt from we cleaned the clothes before donating them to charity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in removes

to take the internal organs out of cleaned the rabbit before cooking it

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 cleans The winery also has solar panels that generate about 100,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year, more than enough to cover its energy needs, along with heat pumps and a system that cleans and reuses wastewater. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026 For floors, a combination vacuum/floor steamer saves time and cleans well. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 Hillstrand cleans Ryan’s wound and tells the crew to get him suture tape. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Aug. 2026 Shaving cream cleans mirrors and glass without streaks and prevents fogging. — Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2026 As with the AquaSense 2 Ultra, the AquaSense X cleans your entire pool, including the surface. — John R. Delaney, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026 Markowski cleans his every spring, before mosquito season gets underway; Bartholomay uses gutter guards to keep water from pooling in the first place. — Angela Haupt, Time, 3 Aug. 2026 Weakened by kidney failure, Karam is unable to work and is tethered 12 hours a day to the machine that cleans the toxins from his blood. — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026 Dawn Dishwashing Liquid Best soap in the world—cleans dishes and windows, pretreats laundry, and unclogs toilets. — Chris Kelly, New Yorker, 28 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cleans

Verb

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 Kérastase Chronologiste Revitalizing Youth Shampoo removes buildup, cleanses the scalp, softens and strengthens strands (meaning less breakage), increases moisture starting at the root, improves follicle health (meaning less shedding), and imparts shine.

— Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 15 June 2026

Definition of cleanses

Verb

The new approach removes the plug altogether by pairing two paper-thin nickel-titanium films that work in tandem.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 31 Aug. 2026
To prove to Miles that Sarah is telling the truth—that his work will lead to humanity’s near-annihilation—the T-800 removes the skin from his hand and forearm, revealing the cyber skeleton underneath.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of removes

Verb

Editor’s pick More picks A rare bird draws flocks of Southern California birders to this Irvine marsh to get a glimpse.

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Jeff Bezos' Dolly Parton Instagram post draws criticism Bezos remembered Parton in an Instagram post alongside a throwback photo of the pair from 2022, when the Amazon founder presented her with the Bezos Courage and Civility Award.

— sameen, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of draws

Verb

On the traditional-spa side, a JetPeel facial using Augustinus Bader products essentially pressure-washes my skin with nutrient-rich serums.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026
Continue reading … CREATOR'S REMORSE — TV legend Oprah washes her hands of any association with Dr Phil or Dr Oz.

— , FOXNews.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of washes

Verb

When the Supreme Court guts federal voting protections, every state has to decide whether to fill that void or exploit it.

— Anthony G. Brown, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2026
What most of us know is a relationship that goes sour, and the one that guts you the most is a love that goes wrong.

— Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 7 May 2026

Definition of guts

Verb

The Cece Hand Wash effectively scrubs away dead skin cells, dirt, and grime with a clean, hydrating, antioxidant-rich formula featuring rosella extract and argan oil.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 16 June 2026
Prime lips for a perfectly smooth, even application using the 3-in-1 Lip Scrub pen, which gently scrubs away dead skin with super-fine sugar granules and keeps lips hydrated with nourishing shea butter and algae.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 May 2026

Definition of scrubs

Browse Nearby Words

clean (out)

cleans

cleanse

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cleans.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cleans. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cleans

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

conscientious

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes