cathartic

[ kuh-thahr-tik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to catharsis.
2. Also cathartical. evacuating the bowels; purgative.

noun

1. a purgative.

   Synonyms: physic, laxative

cathartic

/ kəˈθɑːtɪk /

adjective

1. purgative
2. effecting catharsis

noun

1. a purgative drug or agent

Derived Forms

• caˈthartically, adverb

Other Words From

• ca·thar·ti·cal·ly adverb
• ca·thar·ti·cal·ness noun
• hy·per·ca·thar·tic adjective
• non·ca·thar·tic adjective noun
• non·ca·thar·ti·cal adjective
• sem·i·ca·thar·tic adjective
• un·ca·thar·tic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cathartic¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin catharticus, from Greek kathartikós “fit for cleansing”; catharsis, -tic

Example Sentences

He has used that time to write a book - All That Matters: My Toughest Race Yet - which is released this week, and says the process was "cathartic".

From BBC

Speaking to BBC Radio 6 Music's Huw Stephens, he said singing live became "hugely cathartic" in escaping the "doom and gloom" he felt.

From BBC

Thatcher just dropped “Pivot & Scrape,” a five-song debut EP of emotional balladry that showcases her deep, resonant voice and penchant for cathartic pop-rock arrangements.

From Los Angeles Times

Meeting and interviewing him was a cathartic experience for me - he was a black footballing trailblazer that every Caribbean household cherished.

From BBC

After talking about other San Francisco comedy venues, Evans pivoted the conversation to “Beef,” asking Wong what scene from the show was the most cathartic and fun to shoot.

From Salon