CATHARTIC Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

cathartic 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of cathartic

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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cathartic

2 of 2

noun

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cathartic

Adjective

Ross’ music eschews the cathartic function of a lot of classic heartland rock, maybe because his lyric-writing is fairly literary and terse. — Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2026 Shortly thereafter, once Bunker came his way, the opportunity to depict a man who’s drastically turning his life around became a fittingly cathartic parallel to Pelphrey’s own recovery journey. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026 In a time of increasingly frictionless digital consumption, there’s something cathartic about the raw experience of guitar music, as compared with the precise beats of electronic music. — Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Running shifted from simply fitness exercise into a more powerful, cathartic force. — Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cathartic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cathartic

Adjective

Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Deanna is a proud mother of three and an excitable introvert.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026
Phuntsok and Hiddleston are pleasant to watch and share a nice, friendly chemistry, with Tenzing as the relatively more excitable one and Hillary as the quieter one.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of excitable

Noun

Another common response, readers wrote, is that the drugs have reduced their desire for alcohol as well as their appetite.

— Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026
But in recent years, Fiji has seen a surge in intravenous drug use as the islands have emerged as a crucial transit point for narcotics being trafficked from the Americas to lucrative markets in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia.

— Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of drug

Adjective

Stone’s characters are a little too good at dramaturging their own emotions, which leaves their story’s greater emotional impact muted.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
On Wednesday, former MLB outfielder Brandon Barnes posted an emotional tribute to Wolfe on Facebook.

— Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of emotional

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
The persistent and sickening violence of Detroit could work as a powerful purgative, a corrective medicine for deprogramming those who doubt the reality of police brutality.

— Josephine Livingstone, New Republic, 8 Aug. 2017

Definition of purgative

Adjective

This is an exciting step forward for Eisenberg the director, who had a breakthrough a couple of years ago with the lovely A Real Pain, which earned co-star Kieran Culkin an Academy Award.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026
Mikel Arteta’s champions are built around a solid defence and strangling the opposition through possession, while Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea have had very little of the ball during his first few games, but have still built an exciting style.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of exciting

Noun

Looks like the method acting (stopping his heart medication in order to play a dying man) paid off.

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
These studies compared back support braces either on their own, with no other interventions, or their use in conjunction with other pain management recommendations such as physical activity and/or medication.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of medication

Adjective

The duo discussed various subjects, including Colbert’s work on an upcoming Lord of the Rings film in New Zealand and his impressive suit collection, which was gifted to him after the Late Show ended.

— Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
But now, following Mahomes’ astonishingly rapid comeback, and the Chiefs’ equally impressive retooling on the fly, their quests have intensified again.

— Mike Jones, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of impressive

Noun

And filmmaking, unlike law or medicine, issues no license at the end of the program and has no job guarantees.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
Artificial tears, saliva substitutes, and prescription medicines can help manage dry eyes and dry mouth.

— Julie Scott, Verywell Health, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of medicine

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“Cathartic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cathartic. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of cathartic

adjective

noun

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