cathartic

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Giving a strong sense of emotional relief by letting out feelings that were held back.

   Grammar: Goes before a noun or after be: a cathartic cry, writing was cathartic.

   Patterns

   • cathartic for someone

   Writing about the loss was cathartic for her.

   The long talk with his brother felt cathartic.

   Screaming into the wind at the beach was surprisingly cathartic.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounmedicaltechnical

   Relating to a substance that causes the bowels to empty.

   Grammar: Goes before a noun in medical writing: a cathartic drug.

   The doctor warned against overusing cathartic drugs.

   Some herbs have a cathartic effect.

   A cathartic medicine was prescribed before the test.

Word forms

Common combinations

cathartic experience

The reunion was a cathartic experience.

cathartic release

Crying brought a cathartic release.

find it cathartic

Many people find it cathartic to journal.

cathartic effect

The music had a cathartic effect on the audience.

deeply cathartic

The performance was deeply cathartic.

Synonyms and how they differ

purifying

Purifying suggests cleansing of impurities, while cathartic focuses on emotional release.

liberating

Liberating stresses feeling free, whereas cathartic stresses getting feelings out.

therapeutic

Therapeutic means helpful to health or well-being in general, while cathartic is about a specific release.

cleansing

Cleansing is more figurative and gentle, while cathartic implies a stronger emotional discharge.

Opposites

Word family

catharsis noun

emotional release through expression

catharsis noun

also the Greek idea of release through drama

cathartically adverb

in a way that releases feelings

Commonly confused: cathartic or cathodic?

Practice

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