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
Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 13 Dec. 2024
Our not knowing doesn’t make the event any less revealing, cathartic, or terrifying.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024
Molly Longman, refinery29.com, 11 Jan. 2021
See all Example Sentences for cathartic 
Adjective
The recording process was an emotional whirlwind that took just three hours but was deeply cathartic.
—Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 13 Dec. 2024
Our not knowing doesn’t make the event any less revealing, cathartic, or terrifying.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024
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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If your weekly dog walker is especially good with your excitable fur-baby, consider giving additional Christmas cheer.Linley Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Dec. 2024
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Lou Carnesecca, the excitable St. John’s men’s basketball coach whose outlandish sweaters became an emblem of his team’s dazzling Final Four run in 1985, died at 99.Andrew Torgan, CNN, 1 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Another Florida native, Moody also spent time with the United States Attorney's Office prosecuting drug, firearm and fraud offenses.Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
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Bar state and local governments from issuing public health guidelines that ban the prescribing of off-label drugs.Haley BeMiller, The Enquirer, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Singing over gruff hip-hop beats and ethereal minimalist ballads, the Argentine singer weaves a provocative tale of self-discovery with diaristic lyrics that excavate self-acceptance, intense romance and emotional maturity.Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
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Huger’s emotional state in the wake of her mother’s death became a key point in the trial.Shelby Stewart, Essence, 19 Dec. 2024
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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The transformative potential of this technology is very exciting, offering a viable solution to help address our housing challenges.Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
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While your side hustle may be exciting, overcommitting can lead to burnout.Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Swiatek appealed that provisional suspension within 10 days, arguing that her melatonin medication was contaminated.James Hansen, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
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There are a variety of treatments, including counseling, medications and support groups, to help people who want to end that dependency.Brittney Melton, NPR, 29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The two cooks' successes and failures are great fun to watch, particularly the series of scenes in which Child, having just enrolled in a cooking program, practices cutting hundreds of onions, the slices forming a pile that matches her own impressive height.Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 21 Dec. 2024
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The Celtics, after coasting through the first half through impressive shot-making, had to clamp down.Boston Herald, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Sangamo Therapeutics — Shares tumbled more than 56% after the genomic medicine company said partner Pfizer terminated a license and development agreement for a gene therapy for hemophilia A. Sangamo retained rights to the product.Alex Harring, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024
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Studium wall tile, Complete Tile floor tile, and an Artistic Tile mosaic envelop the space, with Ralph Lauren for Visual Comfort sconces and Robern medicine cabinets.Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near cathartic
Cite this Entry
“Cathartic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cathartic. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
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