cathartic
adjective
ca·thar·tic
| \ kə-ˈthär-tik
\
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Definition of cathartic
(Entry 1 of 2)
: of, relating to, or producing catharsis
cathartic drugs a cathartic experience
cathartic
noun
ca·thar·tic
| \ kə-ˈthär-tik
\
\
Definition of cathartic (Entry 2 of 2)
: a medicine that causes the bowels to be purged (see purge entry 1 sense 2a) : purgative
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Other Words from cathartic
Adjective
cathartically
\ kə-ˈthär-ti-k(ə-)lē
\
adverb
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adverb
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
Dressing up politicians who disappoint is a traditional – and cathartic -- way in several towns in the state of Chiapas of dressing them down. — Elizabeth Llorente, Fox News, "Mexican mayor paraded through town in women's clothes for failing to keep campaign promises," 3 Aug. 2019 The two-minute clip was fun, and funny; honestly, seeing someone ask Twitter for something that users have been demanding for years, and the company stubbornly refusing to deliver, was cathartic. — Casey Newton, The Verge, "It’s time to regulate tech platforms with laws, not fines," 30 July 2019 War Memorial Advisory Committee Chair Rick Adler, who was a classmate of Martell, said the unveiling of the monument was emotional and cathartic. — John Benson, cleveland.com, "Olmsted Falls’ patriotic weekend includes Vietnam Veterans Memorial unveiling and Ohio Flags of Honor exhibit," 25 June 2019 In many ways, her story can be read as the cathartic last say of a survivor. — Margaret Wappler, Los Angeles Times, "Review: ‘Three Women’ studies the real sex lives of women, casting light on obscured desire," 26 July 2019 On one hand, the Marie Kondo effect that this show has had on people's closets has been a cathartic exercise for thousands of viewers. — Alyssa Hardy, Teen Vogue, "What You Should Do With All Your Clothes That Don't “Spark Joy"," 11 Jan. 2019 There are no jump scares, slashings or cathartic screams and chases. — Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, "Brilliant ‘Midsommar’ lets the sunshine in to horror," 4 July 2019 And these Canadian punks back it up with a sound that's cathartic enough to tackle all your existential demons. — Ed Masley, azcentral, "July concerts in Phoenix: Shawn Mendes, Queen & Adam Lambert, DaBaby, Third Eye Blind," 2 July 2019 Her stance only inspired more noise from a crowd searching for a cathartic release from what had been a nerve-racking week leading up to Friday’s match. — Ashley Scoby, Pro Soccer USA, "U.S., France atmosphere lives up to hype in World Cup prize fight," 29 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cathartic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for cathartic
cathartic
adjective
ca·thar·tic
| \ kə-ˈthärt-ik
\
\
Medical Definition of cathartic
(Entry 1 of 2)
: of, relating to, or producing catharsis
cathartic
nounMedical Definition of cathartic (Entry 2 of 2)
: a cathartic medicine : purgative
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