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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.
/ kəˈθɑːr.tɪk / Add to word list involving the release of strong emotions through a particular activity or experience: a cathartic experience
CATHARTIC definition: of or relating to catharsis. See examples of cathartic used in a sentence.
His laughter was cathartic, an animal yelp that brought tears to his eyes. Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Define cathartic. cathartic synonyms, cathartic pronunciation, cathartic translation, English dictionary definition of cathartic. adj. Inducing catharsis; purgative.
Definition of cathartic adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
Jan 20, 2026 · Adjective cathartic (comparative more cathartic, superlative most cathartic) Purgative; inducing mental or physical catharsis.
Factsheet What does the word cathartic mean? There are four meanings listed in OED's entry for the word cathartic. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
Cathartic definition: Of or effecting catharsis; purging.
A cathartic is something that provides or brings about intense emotional release or relief, often through various means such as art, therapy, or medicine. It helps in eliminating toxins, negative feelings, or pent-up ...
