cathartic

1 of 2

adjective

ca·​thar·​tic kə-ˈthär-tik 

: of, relating to, or producing catharsis

cathartic drugs

a cathartic experience

cathartically

kə-ˈthär-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

cathartic

2 of 2

noun

: a medicine that causes the bowels to be purged (see purge entry 1 sense 2a) : purgative

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Word History of Catharsis and Cathartic

Catharsis and cathartic both trace to the Greek word kathairein, meaning “to cleanse, purge.” Catharsis entered English as a medical term having to do with purging the body—and especially the bowels—of unwanted material. The adjective cathartic entered English with a meaning descriptive of such a physically cleansing purge. It didn’t take long for people to start using these words figuratively in reference to emotional release and spiritual cleansing.

Examples of cathartic in a Sentence

Adjective

There's something cathartic about a punch in the nose. —Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated, 28 Jan. 2002

But Vietnam is hard to sell as a tidy, cathartic morality tale of troubled times overcome. —Jennifer Homans, New Republic, 2 & 9 Dec. 2002

Many veterans, at first reluctant to speak, ultimately uncorked their emotions in a cathartic explosion. —Stanley Karnow, New York Times Book Review, 22 Nov. 1992

It provokes no healthy tears, whereas Cervantes never fails … to open the cathartic floodgates. —Anthony Burgess, Homage to Qwert Yuiop: Selected Journalism 1978-1985, 1986

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Saturday in Lincoln marked one of the most cathartic occasions of the past 50 years for Nebraska football. —Mitch Sherman, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024

Toph says two Hollywood productions have been cathartic for him. —Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024

Noun

Some people find free-writing in a journal cathartic. —Molly Longman, refinery29.com, 11 Jan. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Late Latin or Greek; Late Latin catharticus, from Greek kathartikos, from kathairein — see catharsis

First Known Use

Adjective

1612, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cathartic

noun

ca·​thar·​tic

kə-ˈthärt-ik

: a strong laxative

cathartic adjective

Medical Definition

cathartic

1 of 2 adjective

ca·​thar·​tic kə-ˈthärt-ik 

: of, relating to, or producing catharsis

cathartic

2 of 2 noun

: a cathartic medicine : purgative