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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cathartic
Danny Hajjar, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2026
As Estes notes, more than a few of these products had active ingredients that were cathartic or purgative, a fact rarely noted on labels.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 4 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for cathartic
Adjective
Ajram, meanwhile, decided to move forward with her tour as a way to bring some sense of cathartic joy for Lebanese people and other Arabs who have felt so much trauma and pain.
—Danny Hajjar, Rolling Stone, 12 May 2026
As Estes notes, more than a few of these products had active ingredients that were cathartic or purgative, a fact rarely noted on labels.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 4 May 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for cathartic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cathartic
Adjective
-
Myhrvold, now 66 and still the CEO of Intellectual Ventures, is jolly and excitable in conversation.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
-
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
Noun
-
New studies are fueling optimism about the drugs’ potential role in prevention and treatment — especially in breast, colon and lung cancer.—
Ariana Eunjung Cha,
Washington Post,
3 June 2026
-
The personalized mRNA cancer therapy, called intismeran autogene, combined with the cancer immunotherapy drug KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), is a collaboration between Merck and Moderna.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Several jurors appeared emotional, covering their mouths.—
Dawn White,
CBS News,
7 June 2026
-
Though there are still many unknowns regarding the full effect of ayahuasca on the human experience, if my own is any indication, the mental and emotional gates this plant can open seem promising.—
Michaela Trimble,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 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
-
Or merely the tall-tale purgative of a frantic Purgatorian?—
Tom Nolan,
WSJ,
11 June 2021
Adjective
-
For a culture hit, there’s the contemporary Saatchi Gallery in Duke of York Square and the nearby Royal Court theatre, known for championing exciting, up-and-coming playwrights.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Experience magic as the aquarium comes alive with glowing corals and exciting live performances.—
Kayla Rivera,
AJC.com,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
The semaglutide medication slows the digestive system, and combined with reduced appetite and lower fluid intake, that can leave users feeling backed up for weeks at a time.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
-
The flat-rate medication pricing, dietitian access and live video visits offer more clinical structure than many telehealth competitors at a comparable price point.—
Jay Sparks,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
As more applications move from impressive demos to tools people actually depend on, the pressure on the layer beneath them will keep increasing.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
-
Equally impressive was the nail-biter at Riviera, where there was a four-way tie for the lead at various points in the final round.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Decriminalizing plant medicines like ayahuasca is part of a broader movement to decriminalize psychedelics in the United States, with states like Oregon and Colorado leading the way and dozens of cities—from Denver and Oakland to Detroit and Seattle—deprioritizing enforcement in recent years.—
Michaela Trimble,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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Allergen avoidance measures, allergy medicines and breathing treatments may be part of your child’s care plan too.—
Dr. Daniel DiGiacomo,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cathartic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cathartic. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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