Cathartic: meaning, definitions and examples

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cathartic

[ kəˈθɑːrtɪk ]

^{Context #1}

emotional release

Providing psychological relief through the expression of strong emotions; causing a purging or cleansing effect on the emotions.

Synonyms

cleansing, purging, purifying

Examples of usage

It was a cathartic experience to finally confront my fears.
After crying, she felt a cathartic sense of release.
The movie served as a cathartic outlet for the audience's pent-up emotions.

^{Context #2}

medicine

A substance that promotes bowel movements and relieves constipation.

Synonyms

laxative, purgative

Examples of usage

She took a cathartic to help with her digestion.
The doctor prescribed a mild cathartic for the patient.

Translations

Translations of the word "cathartic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 catarse

🇮🇳 मनोदोषहर

🇩🇪 kathartisch

🇮🇩 katarsis

🇺🇦 катарсичний

🇵🇱 katharsis

🇯🇵 浄化

🇫🇷 cathartique

🇪🇸 catártico

🇹🇷 katarzik

🇰🇷 카타르시스

🇸🇦 تنفيسي

🇨🇿 katartický

🇸🇰 katarzický

🇨🇳 净化

🇸🇮 katarzičen

🇮🇸 hreinsandi

🇰🇿 катартик

🇬🇪 კათარზიული

🇦🇿 katartik

🇲🇽 catártico

Word origin

The word 'cathartic' originated from the Greek word 'kathartikos', meaning 'cleansing' or 'purifying'. In ancient Greek medicine, cathartics were used to induce purgation or cleansing of the body. Over time, the term evolved to also describe emotional purging or release. Today, 'cathartic' is commonly used in both psychological and medical contexts to describe a cleansing or purging effect.