cathartic 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of catharticnext
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
After holding these characters in psychological suspension for so long, the show finally puts them in a position for a cathartic finish. — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 25 June 2026 Sugar’s reunion has already delivered the cathartic, high-volume joy fans for which fans waited decades, and now Bob Mould, David Barbe and Malcolm Travis are keeping the momentum going with another new song. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 25 June 2026 These days, fear and absurdity walk hand in hand, and anyone who’s scrolled a news feed knows how quickly abject terror can morph into cathartic giggles. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 17 June 2026 As the film’s dance sequences played in front of me before ending in an ecstatic, cathartic rave-release, I was reminded again of that hopeful feeling for what the future may hold. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cathartic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cathartic
  1. excitable
  2. drug
  3. emotional
  4. purgative
  5. exciting
  6. medication
  7. impressive
  8. medicine
Adjective
  • The studio released the official trailer for the film on Thursday, showing Edgar-Jones as the formidable Elinor Dashwood; Esmé Creed-Miles as her excitable sister, Marianne; and Bodhi Rae Breathnach as their youngest sibling, Margaret.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026
  • The excitable kids had been instructed several times to give Bryce Young room.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026
Definition of excitable
Noun
  • An investigation by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners found that while the three medications were administered in non-fatal doses, Hemphill failed to acknowledge the way the drugs would act when combined, according to the warrant.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026
  • The twist is that she’s already attached to Reynolds (Ben Foster), who looks like a dweeb — but is, in fact, an extremely wealthy and powerful drug kingpin.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 July 2026
Definition of drug
Adjective
  • Yet several of the heroes feel unknowable and interchangeable, which keeps the audience at an emotional distance even as Nolan employs so many cinematic techniques in an effort to pull us closer.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
  • The new episodes keep Rebecca as one of the emotional cores of the show.
    — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 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
  • The King vs the Prince The clash of styles is one subplot but arguably not as exciting as the prospect of Messi coming up against Lamine Yamal.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • After a month of adrenaline-pumping action, the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws to a close this weekend with two exciting finals.
    — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 18 July 2026
Definition of exciting
Noun
  • Clancy’s doctors took her on and off medications to treat the depression, which her attorney has said worsened her symptoms.
    — Chelsea Bailey, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • The bags contained three new iPhones, our rental car key, medication, jewelry, licenses, credit cards and other valuables.
    — Josh Rivera, USA Today, 19 July 2026
Definition of medication
Adjective
  • Yet the 23-year-old midfielder has been a catalyst behind England’s impressive run at the tournament, scoring six goals in six matches.
    — Justin Birnbaum, Sportico.com, 15 July 2026
  • Not a record-setter While the sale price was impressive, the pen and switch did not break into the top 10 list of the highest prices at a public sale for space artifacts and memorabilia.
    — Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 15 July 2026
Definition of impressive
Noun
  • That convergence is drawing together businesses that once occupied separate corners of the market, from consumer staples companies selling food to biotech firms developing medicines and veterinary providers offering increasingly sophisticated care.
    — Elsa Ohlen,Carolin Roth, CNBC, 18 July 2026
  • Adam Farren is the CEO of Canvas Medical, an EMR company accelerating everyday medicine.
    — Adam Farren, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of medicine

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Cite this Entry

“Cathartic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cathartic. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cathartic

Nglish: Translation of cathartic for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cathartic

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