What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Rid vs Cleanse - What's the difference?

rid | cleanse |

As verbs the difference between rid and cleanse

is that rid is to free from something or rid can be (obsolete) (ride) while cleanse is to free from dirt; to clean, purify.

As an adjective rid

is released from an obligation, problem, etc (usually followed by "of").

rid

English

Etymology 1

Fusion of (etyl) . More at redd.

Adjective

(-)
  • released from an obligation, problem, etc. (usually followed by "of")
  • I’m glad to be rid of that stupid nickname.

    Verb

  • To free from something.
  • We're trying to rid the world of poverty.
    1170', King Henry II (offhand remark) — "Will no one ' rid me of this troublesome priest?"
  • * 2014 , Jacob Steinberg, " Wigan shock Manchester City in FA Cup again to reach semi-finals", The Guardian , 9 March 2014:
  • All the billions in the world and Manchester City still cannot rid themselves of the most persistent thorn in their side.
    Derived terms
    * get rid of

    Etymology 2

    Verb

    (head)
  • (obsolete) (ride)
  • * Thackeray
  • He rid to the end of the village, where he alighted.

    cleanse

    English

    Verb

    (cleans)
  • To free from dirt; to clean, purify.
  • *{{quote-magazine, title=A better waterworks, date=2013-06-01, volume=407, issue=8838
  • , page=5 (Technology Quarterly), magazine=(The Economist) citation , passage=An artificial kidney these days still means a refrigerator-sized dialysis machine. Such devices mimic the way real kidneys cleanse blood and eject impurities and surplus water as urine.}}
  • To spiritually purify; to free from sin or guilt; to purge.
  • Anagrams

    * * * *