catharsis

[ kuh-thahr-sis ]

noun

, plural ca·thar·ses [k, uh, -, thahr, -seez].

1. the purging of the emotions or relieving of emotional tensions, especially through certain kinds of art, as tragedy or music.
2. Medicine/Medical. purgation.
3. Psychiatry.
   1. psychotherapy that encourages or permits the discharge of pent-up, socially unacceptable affects.
   2. discharge of pent-up emotions so as to result in the alleviation of symptoms or the permanent relief of the condition.

catharsis

/ kəˈθɑːsɪs /

noun

1. (in Aristotelian literary criticism) the purging or purification of the emotions through the evocation of pity and fear, as in tragedy
2. psychoanal the bringing of repressed ideas or experiences into consciousness, thus relieving tensions See also abreaction
3. purgation, esp of the bowels

catharsis

1. An experience of emotional release and purification, often inspired by or through art. In psychoanalysis , catharsis is the release of tension and anxiety that results from bringing repressed feelings and memories into consciousness.

Other Words From

• hyper·ca·tharsis noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of catharsis¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; from New Latin, from Greek kátharsis “a cleansing,” equivalent to kathar- (variant stem of kathaírein “to cleanse,” derivative of katharós “pure”) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of catharsis¹

C19: New Latin, from Greek katharsis, from kathairein to purge, purify

Example Sentences

But, unlike a kind and responsible therapist, Trump offers no catharsis or healing.

From Salon

“The Outrun” feels like the apotheosis of that phase of her run, a movie that offers an intimate sense of catharsis, particularly for those who have been affected by addiction.

From Los Angeles Times

The central deviation is that this “Speak No Evil,” with its more pronounced humor and catharsis, treats the other film’s scenario as a ghastly comedy of manners rather than as a brutalizing, unheroic descent.

From Los Angeles Times

The subsequent tour, and the tour film released in cinemas last year, was intended as a moment of community and catharsis for her followers.

From BBC

I don’t know if the simmering rage of Colson Whitehead’s novel is fully expressed by Ross’ strategy, but there’s no doubt that the filmmaker has made something strange and arresting, a drama that makes you do the work and supply its catharsis in retrospect.

From Los Angeles Times