cleanse

BrE /klɪˈnɛs/ AmE /klɪˈnɛs/

verb en → es

past cleansed/cleaned pp cleansed/cleaned ing cleaning

1 PURIFY [transitive] B2

to make something clean or pure, especially by washing it thoroughly

limpiar, purificar, lavar

  • cleanse something of/with something

Collocations cleanse the skin with soap · cleanse a wound with antiseptic

  • She cleansed her face before going to bed.

    Se limpió la cara antes de acostarse.

2 RELIGIOUS [transitive] C1

to make someone or something pure in a religious sense, especially by praying for them

purificar, santificar, purgar

  • cleanse somebody of/with something

Collocations cleanse the soul with prayer · cleanse a person's sins

  • The priest cleansed her soul.

    El sacerdote purificó su alma.

3 METAPHORICAL [transitive] C1

to remove something bad or unpleasant from a situation, person, etc., especially by making changes

purificar, limpiar, eliminar

  • cleanse something of/with something

Collocations cleanse the body politic of corruption · cleanse a company's image

  • The new law will cleanse the city of crime.

    La nueva ley limpiará la ciudad del crimen.