Meanings
adjectivedetersive (comparative more detersive, superlative most detersive)
comparative more detersive · superlative most detersive
- Having cleansing abilities
The powdered roots of the Guayacan (lignum vitae) have detersive properties, and were once used as a household cleaning agent.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
Compare French détersif.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
French détersif, détersive
- détersifhaving cleansing abilities
- détersivehaving cleansing abilities
Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with detersive
recursivesubversiveimmersivecursivediscursivedispersiveaversiveconversivenonrecursiveabstersiveadversiveanimadversiveantidiscursiveantisubversiveaspersivecompersivecontraversiveco-recursivecounterdiscursivecountersubversivecyberdiscursiveelectrodispersiveeversiveexcursive
All rhymes →Cite this entry
APA
detersive. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/detersive
MLA
“detersive.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/detersive. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “detersive,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/detersive.
Source: detersive on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.