as in excitable
bringing about a relief from strong emotions usually by expressing them
It was very cathartic to finally tell my childhood bully exactly what I thought of him.
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as in drug
a substance used to induce or speed up the process of defecation
Epsom salts, when ingested, act as a cathartic.
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Recent Examples of cathartic
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Her 10-episode first season isn’t just an allegory for learning to accept and conquer life’s inescapable anxieties; its horrors are irrefutable for everyone onscreen, which makes for a cathartic, curious, and chilling experience for everyone watching at home.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
As such, the songs here are equally cathartic and stressful, frequently in the same song, occasionally in the same exact moment.
—Brendan Hay, SPIN, 27 Apr. 2026
That’s why the Pistons’ 30-3 run to start the third quarter must have been so cathartic for Pistons fans.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cathartic
Adjective
Pharoah won the Triple Crown in 2015, breaking a then 37-year-old hex that created a near cathartic roar at Belmont Park.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 1 May 2026
Her 10-episode first season isn’t just an allegory for learning to accept and conquer life’s inescapable anxieties; its horrors are irrefutable for everyone onscreen, which makes for a cathartic, curious, and chilling experience for everyone watching at home.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 29 Apr. 2026
As such, the songs here are equally cathartic and stressful, frequently in the same song, occasionally in the same exact moment.
—Brendan Hay, SPIN, 27 Apr. 2026
That’s why the Pistons’ 30-3 run to start the third quarter must have been so cathartic for Pistons fans.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cathartic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cathartic
Adjective
-
An unexpected collaboration opportunity is very possible under today’s trine between excitable Mars and erratic Uranus.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
At the Ricardo residence in the ’50s sitcom I Love Lucy, over-the-top housewife Lucy and Ricky, her excitable husband, were always getting into some sort of entertaining hijinks.—
Michael Gioia,
Architectural Digest,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Now, a new study suggests researchers may have found the first drug regimen capable of rapid and sustaining relief from suicidal thoughts across a broad group of patients.—
Ariana Eunjung Cha,
Washington Post,
19 May 2026
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The quantum engineering of new molecules could lead to better drugs and to batteries that don’t use costly, environmentally damaging commodities such as rare earth elements.—
Zeeya Merali,
Scientific American,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Stronger communities are built when mental-health services move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches and recognize the emotional, social, cultural and practical realities people face every day.—
Maria Bledsoe,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 May 2026
-
Mercury enters Gemini in your 4th House of Home, bringing attention to family logistics, living space, and the emotional weather behind closed doors.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
Sales of purgatives, tonics, syrups and patent medicines like Carter’s Little Liver Pills went through the roof as ordinary people were encouraged to closely monitor the frequency and quality of their bowel movements.—
Elsa Richardson,
TIME,
3 Oct. 2024
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Or merely the tall-tale purgative of a frantic Purgatorian?—
Tom Nolan,
WSJ,
11 June 2021
Adjective
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The series itself follows the famed adventurer as he's joined by celebrities for exciting journeys in the wilderness.—
Brenton Blanchet,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
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Watch the official livestream replay now and immerse yourself in one of the most exciting student fashion events in the world.—
Kayla Rivera,
AJC.com,
19 May 2026
Noun
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While in the clinic, behind the gee-wizardry of the modern diagnostics and next-generation medications, the practice of endocrinology remains rooted in one person telling their story and the other trying to interpret it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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According to data from FertilityIQ, an educational platform for individuals and couples navigating infertility and family building, the average cost of IVF treatment and medication is more than $20,000.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
The menu focuses on steak—particularly surf and turf—and there’s an impressive offering of cuts, from the Lake District, Japan, and Australia.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
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Romano points out that, when Lincoln emerged as a dark horse in the 1860 Presidential race, journalists covering the election sometimes found Mary more impressive than her spouse.—
Thomas Mallon,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Noun
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Novo's Larsen said that how European countries address pricing for medicines wouldn't affect out-of-pocket launches.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
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Raya Elfadel Kheirbek is a professor of medicine and chief of the division of palliative medicine and geriatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.—
Raya Elfadel Kheirbek,
Washington Post,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cathartic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cathartic. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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