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View synonyms for

cathartic

[kuh-thahr-tik]

adjective

  1. of or relating to catharsis.

  2. Also cathartical. evacuating the bowels; purgative.



noun

  1. a purgative.

    Synonyms: ,

cathartic

/ əˈθɑːɪ /

adjective

  1. purgative

  2. effecting catharsis

“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

noun

  1. a purgative drug or agent

“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
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Other Word Forms

  • cathartically adverb
  • catharticalness noun
  • hypercathartic adjective
  • noncathartic adjective
  • noncathartical adjective
  • semicathartic adjective
  • uncathartic adjective
  • ˈٳ󲹰پ adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of cathartic1

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin catharticus, from Greek 첹ٳ󲹰پó “fit for cleansing”; catharsis, -tic
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“We wanted to talk about how there was a healthy aspect to it for him … that he needed to get it out … and that this was something that was cathartic for him,” adds Corrado.

From

"The project has been a really cathartic experience - I've met so many other women who have gone through the same thing and understand exactly where I'm coming from so it has helped me immensely."

From

“Soul music is releasing a demon that turns into a beautiful, cathartic exercise,” he says.

From

She does her best Janis Joplin, belting out lyrics about waking up each morning and greeting the day — perhaps by getting high, perhaps by cathartic yells — and tries to find equilibrium.

From

The resident librarian takes Corby under her wing, and invites him to put his artist skills to work by painting a mural, which proves cathartic.

From

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catharsisCathay