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

“This raising should serve as a cathartic event and clear the overhang from the share price,” says analyst Martyn Jacobs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 2026

But when he finally bursts with a cathartic eleventh-hour speech about the inaccuracy of Krick’s historical forecast, Eisenhower listens.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026

"Oh my God, it was amazing. It was cathartic," she laughs at the memory.

From BBC ● May 2, 2026

“This book is not cathartic for me — let’s just go there,” Applegate recently told The Times.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 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

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

Children and infants present difficulties because they cannot explain their com plaints and because parents too often give destructive cathartics.

From Time Magazine Archive

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

From Time Magazine Archive

And yet I would not be so anxious to bring nature back to this rule when there have been large digressions, as to be found administering cathartics on every trifling occasion.

From Forty Years in the Wilderness of Pills and Powders Cogitations and Confessions of an Aged Physician by William A. (William Andrus) Alcott