catharsis

noun

ca·​thar·​sis kə-ˈthär-səs How to pronounce catharsis (audio)
plural catharses kə-ˈthär-ˌsēz How to pronounce catharsis (audio)
1
a
: purification or purgation of the emotions (such as pity and fear) primarily through art
b
: a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension
2
: elimination of a complex by bringing it to consciousness and affording it expression
3

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Word History of Catharsis and Cathartic

Catharsis and cathartic both trace to the Greek word kathairein, meaning “to cleanse, purge.” Catharsis entered English as a medical term having to do with purging the body—and especially the bowels—of unwanted material. The adjective cathartic entered English with a meaning descriptive of such a physically cleansing purge. It didn’t take long for people to start using these words figuratively in reference to emotional release and spiritual cleansing.

Examples of catharsis in a Sentence

She has learned to have her catharsis, take a deep breath and move on.  … she does not dwell on the negative anymore. Selena Roberts, New York Times, 24 June 2001
… malevolence is expressed in his decision to absent himself from the courtroom, thereby denying some victims of his torture the catharsis of compelling him to hear their stories of survival. George F. Will, Newsweek, 25 May 1987
… there's the need for catharsis. If you play it all back a second time, you may wear away some of the pain, as you wear away a record with replaying. Anatole Broyard, New York Times Book Review, 14 Nov. 1982
As soon as we emerged from the gates of the White House, I became aware of that sea of faces.  … I wanted to cry for them and with them, but it was impossible to permit the catharsis of tears. Lady Bird Johnson 24 Nov. 1963, in A White House Diary1970
Acting is a means of catharsis for her. Painting is a catharsis for me.
Recent Examples on the Web This music is supremely inviting, with melodies that follow the general contours of R&B, but without any agony, no messy human catharsis to clean up afterward. Chris Richards, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Springsteen sang of being trapped on the edge of catharsis, and the music seemed to want to suspend time. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2024 To finally clear that hurdle against Alabama had to be tremendous catharsis. Zac Al-Khateeb, Detroit Free Press, 2 Jan. 2024 The probability of catharsis grows increasingly slim, despite the constant promises presented by spiritual beliefs. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 26 Feb. 2024 Telling the story of a breakup can be healing, like the catharsis of calling a friend after you’ve been dumped. Isle McElroy, The Atlantic, 16 Feb. 2024 But catharsis comes at a price 'Circle of blood': The club no Israeli or Palestinian wants to be in. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024 The refined studio recording can’t match the timbre or electric energy of hearing that number delivered live, instead introducing an element of restraint to the vocals that belies the emotional catharsis of the moment. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2023 The company behind this clever form of catharsis just saw a unique opportunity to help those suffering from heartache. Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'catharsis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek katharsis, from kathairein to cleanse, purge, from katharos

First Known Use

circa 1775, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of catharsis was circa 1775

Dictionary Entries Near catharsis

Cite this Entry

“Catharsis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catharsis. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

catharsis

noun
ca·​thar·​sis
variants also katharsis
plural catharses also katharses -ˌsēz How to pronounce catharsis (audio)
1
2
: elimination of a complex by bringing it to consciousness and affording it expression compare abreaction

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