as in excitable
bringing about a relief from strong emotions usually by expressing them
It was very cathartic to finally tell my childhood bully exactly what I thought of him.
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as in drug
a substance used to induce or speed up the process of defecation
Epsom salts, when ingested, act as a cathartic.
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Recent Examples of cathartic
Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
But for her community, comedy is cathartic and therapeutic.
—Dakin Andone, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
Molly Longman, refinery29.com, 11 Jan. 2021
See All Example Sentences for cathartic
Adjective
That includes a pair of surprisingly cathartic conversations between him and John Kreese (Martin Kove), the sensei whose verbal and even physical abuse kicked off his slide into self-loathing and eventually alcoholism after that loss in 1984.
—Ben Rosenstock, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
But for her community, comedy is cathartic and therapeutic.
—Dakin Andone, CNN, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
Some people find free-writing in a journal cathartic.
—Molly Longman, refinery29.com, 11 Jan. 2021
See All Example Sentences for cathartic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cathartic
Adjective
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So does that of an excitable young engineer (Jonas Strand Gravli) who pesters him with seemingly fanciful technological dreams.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2025
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There’s lots of snarky, adult humor and many high-stakes moments that may be too excitable for younger audiences.—
Lynnette Nicholas,
Parents,
20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Manzano didn’t have a prescription for the drug, Fitzmorris said.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
26 Feb. 2025
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Still, much of that reliance – in particular, on China and India – is for generic medicines, Ricks pointed out, noting that Lilly doesn’t make those drugs.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Even arguments, negative talk about the other parent or exposure to adult problems like finances or infidelity can create lasting emotional wounds.—
Ascend Agency,
New York Daily News,
7 Mar. 2025
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Examine your emotional reactions One of the hallmarks of misinformation is its ability to provoke strong emotional responses, whether outrage, fear or validation.—
Seth Ashley,
The Conversation,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Sales of purgatives, tonics, syrups and patent medicines like Carter’s Little Liver Pills went through the roof as ordinary people were encouraged to closely monitor the frequency and quality of their bowel movements.—
Elsa Richardson,
TIME,
3 Oct. 2024
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Or merely the tall-tale purgative of a frantic Purgatorian?—
Tom Nolan,
WSJ,
11 June 2021
Adjective
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Spread across 55 acres, the estate has become one of England’s most exciting wine producers, turning out crisp still and sparkling wines that rival Champagne.—
Lela London,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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The rise of women-only travel experiences means there are now more opportunities to explore the world in a way that feels empowering and exciting and, to be real—downright liberating.—
Tykesha Spivey Burton,
Essence,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Tamiflu, an antiviral for the flu, is often only prescribed after a positive test, but the medication works best when taken within a couple of days of symptom onset.—
Stephanie Anderson Witmer,
Health,
28 Feb. 2025
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Most people taking antidepressants will not experience withdrawal symptoms when quitting the medications, experts said.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Gracie Abrams is at the forefront of this movement with her award-winning songwriting style, impressive stage presence and her overall remarkable artistry.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2025
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Known for his rich musical legacy with Los Bukis and impressive solo career, Solís incorporated the 2024 Drake diss track at Estadio Centenario (Resistencia) on Sunday (Feb. 23) night.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Ambler's work has attracted attention from leading advocates of music in medicine, reflecting a growing international movement.—
Elizabeth Cook,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2025
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Tailoring health offerings to meet local needs can involve designing low-cost diagnostics for rural areas, incorporating traditional medicine into product portfolios or addressing dietary health concerns unique to specific populations.—
Aman Gupta,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cathartic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cathartic. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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