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

Other Word Forms

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

During tracks about grief and loneliness, like the cathartic “Charcoal Baby,” only Hynes could get the entire crowd to head bang.

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But like many expressions of anger, this policy push is cathartic without being practical.

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The ending, impeded by a retrospective coda, diminishes the full cathartic impact.

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"In a way, the work is cathartic. It is almost mourning."

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Prison warden Chance Andes told AFP that cathartic activities like filmmaking and events like the festival help "reduce the violence and the tension within the walls."

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