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cathartic

[ kuh-thahr-tik ]
/ kəˈθɑr tɪk /

adjective

of or relating to catharsis.
Also ca·thar·ti·cal. evacuating the bowels; purgative.

noun

a purgative.

Content related to cathartic

The Most Satisfying Words To Say In EnglishThe next time you're having a rough day, take a deep breath and try one of these cathartic words. And if that doesn't work, try louder!
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Words nearby cathartic

cath-, cath., cathar, catharine wheel, catharsis, cathartic, cathay, cathead, cathect, cathectic, cathedra

Origin of cathartic

1605–15; < Late Latin catharticus < Greek kathartikós fit for cleansing. See catharsis, -tic

SYNONYMS FOR cathartic

3 laxative, physic.

OTHER WORDS FROM cathartic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cathartically

  • Better still, Kill Your Friends, despite its 1997 setting, feels bracingly, cathartically, of the moment.

    The Sound of Violence|Taylor Antrim|February 17, 2009|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for cathartically

cathartic
/ (kəˈθɑːtɪk) /

adjective

purgative
effecting catharsis

noun

a purgative drug or agent

Derived forms of cathartic

cathartically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for cathartically

cathartic
[ kə-thär′tĭk ]

adj.

Inducing catharsis; purgative.

n.

An agent for purging the bowels, especially a laxative.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.