cleanser

noun

cleans·​er ˈklen-zər How to pronounce cleanser (audio)
Synonyms of cleansernext
: a person or thing that cleanses something
especially : a preparation (such as a scouring powder or a skin cream) used for cleaning

Synonyms of cleanser

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Examples of cleanser in a Sentence

Sprinkle some cleanser on the floor and let it sit for a while before you start scrubbing.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Best cleanser under $35 This affordable cleanser removes makeup, sunscreen and daily grime without stripping your skin. — Casey Delbasso, ABC News, 31 July 2026 For this story, Jessie reached out to top dermatologists to find out their go-to drugstore skincare finds, including must-try cleansers, moisturizers, and sunscreens. — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 31 July 2026 Woolf, who desired a palate cleanser after finishing her experimental novel The Waves, focused her energies on the life story of the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s cocker spaniel. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 According to hundreds of shoppers, SkinMedica’s is said cleanser. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cleanser

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cleanser was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

cleanse
cleanser
cleanse the palate
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cleanser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cleanser. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cleanser

noun
cleans·​er ˈklen-zər How to pronounce cleanser (audio)
: a substance (as a scouring powder or cold cream) used for cleaning

Medical Definition

cleanser

noun
cleans·​er ˈklen-zər How to pronounce cleanser (audio)
: a preparation including a cleaning agent for cleansing the skin, the teeth, or glass surfaces

More from Merriam-Webster on cleanser

Nglish: Translation of cleanser for Spanish Speakers

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