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

That night she spent producing “Start Over” was immensely cathartic, just like writing it had been.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

"It was a cathartic moment for the islanders. Testament not just to Sergei and Tszman, but to the island itself and what it takes to live on an island like that."

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

And out rushes a blazingly cathartic torrent of honesty and horror.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

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

From BBC • Feb. 20, 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