cathartic

American  

[kuh-thahr-tik] / kəˈθɑr tɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to catharsis.

2. Also cathartical. evacuating the bowels; purgative.

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noun

• cathartics
  plural

1. a purgative.

   Synonyms:

   physic, laxative

cathartic British  

/ kəˈθɑːtɪk /

adjective

1. purgative

2. effecting catharsis

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noun

1. a purgative drug or agent

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• catharticalness
  noun
• hypercathartic
  adjective
• noncathartic
  adjective
• noncathartical
  adjective
• semicathartic
  adjective
• uncathartic
  adjective
• cathartically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• cathartics
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of cathartic

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

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Explanation

A movie, play, or song that makes you cry is called cathartic. Most good writers try to create work that causes you to experience a strong rush of emotion. If you've been feeling like you need a good cry, you should watch a cathartic movie like Bambi — or any film that's sure to make you weep. Things that are cathartic don't always call up tears. Things that make you scream, like a roller-coaster ride or a boxing match, are also cathartic. Whatever causes you to release a sudden flood of feelings is cathartic. Some therapies ask you to hit a pillow or break dishes, because those can be cathartic activities.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cathartic cathartics

The meal felt, in a twisted way, cathartic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

"Those moments don't come up very often with long-running shows so I thought it might be cathartic and a nice way to say goodbye as a writer," he says.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026

What they first cultivate with silly banter and lighthearted ad-libs eases into a more vulnerable, introspective atmosphere, comparable to a cathartic therapy session.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 17, 2026

I cannot think of another who would call for, and take such cathartic pleasure in, Helen Mirren’s reading of “Ulysses” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2026

She says it’s cathartic, it sets her up for a good weekend, and because she cleans the house aerobically, it means she doesn’t have to go to the gym.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

Castor oil and calomel are drastic cathartics, should be taken only on advice of a physician.

From Time Magazine Archive

Eighteen years ago, before the profession in general had really begun its modern investigation of cathartics, the American Medical Association published a handbook on the subject written by Dr. Fantus.

From Time Magazine Archive

Appendicitis is another situation where cathartics may not be used without discretion.

From Time Magazine Archive

Children and infants present difficulties because they cannot explain their com plaints and because parents too often give destructive cathartics.

From Time Magazine Archive

Cups and leaches, followed by the warm bath, blisters, and cathartics, must also be resorted to.

From North American Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol. 2, No. 3, July, 1826 by Franklin Bache

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