- detergent, detersive - having cleansing power
Antonyms: adulterating, adulterant (indirect, via purifying)
- detergent - a surface-active chemical widely used in industry and laundering
--1 is a kind of wetting agent, wetter, surfactant, surface-active agent
--1 has particulars:anionic detergent, anionic, non-ionic detergent; cationic detergent, invert soap; sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium lauryl sulfate, SLS - detergent - a cleansing agent that differs from soap but can also emulsify oils and hold dirt in suspension
--2 is a kind of cleansing agent, cleanser, cleaner
--2 has particulars:dishwasher detergent, dishwashing detergent, dishwashing liquid; laundry detergent; liquid detergent Derived form: verb deterge1 - detergent - a cleansing agent that differs from soap but can also emulsify oils and hold dirt in suspension