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

Etymology

Origin of cathartic

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

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

So does the movie, to a degree; Mr. Sarnoski isn’t interested in portraying violence as exciting or cathartic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026

Joe Wengert co-created “Kevin” with ex-girlfriend/series voice actor Aubrey Plaza as a cathartic thought experiment about their actual pet cat, Kevin.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2026

"I almost laughed at myself attempting poetry, and then the fact that it resonated with people has been a really nice surprise," said Matt, adding that he found it "very cathartic".

From BBC ● Jun. 13, 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

And passionate, cathartic church, that was black church.

From "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood" by Trevor Noah

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

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

It is used in some metallic alloys, as type metal and bell metal, and also for medical preparations, which are in general emetics or cathartics.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah