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

While Ellie, from Valley on Anglesey, described the process as cathartic, the book became a way for others to approach her about what she had gone through.

From BBC

They were known for their explosive and cathartic live shows, immortalized by a performance of the single “Wolf Life Me” on David Letterman’s TV show in 2006.

From New York Times

So it’s been an overwhelming experience, but beautifully cathartic.

From Los Angeles Times

The work, which had its New York premiere on Thursday and repeats on Saturday, is capacious, confounding, cathartic.

From New York Times

"It was quite cathartic. You can go into this headspace where you're almost daydreaming," she said of the latter stages of the race.

From BBC