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

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

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

Etymology

Origin of cathartic

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

Example Sentences

After a difficult first season following his move from Sporting Lisbon, Gyokeres' goals were as cathartic for the Sweden striker as Eze's were for him.

From Barron's

He told a virtual panel the following month that playing a role "so close" to him had been challenging but "cathartic".

From BBC

"There's something very cathartic in engaging in horror. It's been like this in previous decades: when the world is more frightening, horror as a genre does better," he added.

From Barron's

The rich Redfellows get dispatched one by one in scenes that are fun but empty — neither cathartic nor comic, simply boxes to be checked off to great big poundings of thunder and harpsichords.

From Los Angeles Times

Writing the book felt cathartic, he said, and left him more comfortable taking off his mask.

From Los Angeles Times