cathartic

adjective

ca·thar·tic | \ kə-ˈthär-tik

Definition of cathartic

(Entry 1 of 2)

: of, relating to, or producing catharsis cathartic drugs a cathartic experience

cathartic

noun

ca·thar·tic | \ kə-ˈthär-tik

Definition of cathartic (Entry 2 of 2)

: a medicine that causes the bowels to be purged (see purge entry 1 sense 2a) : purgative

Other Words from cathartic Word History of Catharsis and Cathartic More Example Sentences Learn More about cathartic

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Word History of Catharsis and Cathartic

Adjective

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 cathartic in a Sentence

Adjective

There's something cathartic about a punch in the nose. — Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated, 28 Jan. 2002 But Vietnam is hard to sell as a tidy, cathartic morality tale of troubled times overcome. — Jennifer Homans, New Republic, 2 & 9 Dec. 2002 Many veterans, at first reluctant to speak, ultimately uncorked their emotions in a cathartic explosion. — Stanley Karnow, New York Times Book Review, 22 Nov. 1992 It provokes no healthy tears, whereas Cervantes never fails … to open the cathartic floodgates. — Anthony Burgess, Homage to Qwert Yuiop: Selected Journalism 1978-1985, 1986

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

There are no jump scares, slashings or cathartic screams and chases. — Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, "Brilliant ‘Midsommar’ lets the sunshine in to horror," 4 July 2019 And these Canadian punks back it up with a sound that's cathartic enough to tackle all your existential demons. — Ed Masley, azcentral, "July concerts in Phoenix: Shawn Mendes, Queen & Adam Lambert, DaBaby, Third Eye Blind," 2 July 2019 Her stance only inspired more noise from a crowd searching for a cathartic release from what had been a nerve-racking week leading up to Friday’s match. — Ashley Scoby, Pro Soccer USA, "U.S., France atmosphere lives up to hype in World Cup prize fight," 29 June 2019 Paraders and crowd members alike took them up on the offer, exchanging cathartic squeezes with strangers. — Doug Maccash, nola.com, "New Orleans’ Pride Parade 2019 was a glorious group hug," 9 June 2019 According to the Huff Post and various other op eds, KonMari-ing your dating life is actually incredibly cathartic. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "Can You Marie Kondo Your Dating Life?," 25 Mar. 2019 There was no shortage of reasons for why Kansas City’s 31-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday was cathartic. — Andrew Beaton, WSJ, "The Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Exorcism," 13 Jan. 2019 Nails 17 Slides Few things are more cathartic than painting your own nails—and more infuriating than to have them chip or smudge minutes later. — Glamour, "17 Ways You’re Accidentally Messing Up Your Nails," 12 Mar. 2019 More Essays When a donor is deceased, the interaction with the family always reminds me how wonderful and cathartic the donation process can be. — Joshua Mezrich, WSJ, "Losing the Humanity of Transplants," 18 Jan. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cathartic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.