CATHARTIC Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

cathartic 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of cathartic

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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cathartic

2 of 2

noun

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cathartic

Adjective

It was meant to be a moving, cathartic experience for all involved. — Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026 Just sitting in a room with so many other people sharing the same experiences was cathartic. — Beth Hawkins, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2026 Talking through messy emotions is cathartic as the moon harmonizes with Chiron. — Usa Today, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026 To Morrison, as well as to the filmmakers, this awful backstory makes something cathartic of his accomplishment. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cathartic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cathartic

Adjective

Kalind, the younger brother of a bonobo named Kevin, was the more excitable and playful of the two.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026
Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Deanna is a proud mother of three and an excitable introvert.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of excitable

Noun

In cell cultures, the researchers found that gamma delta T cells could kill the cancer cells when redirected by the drug.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 15 Oct. 2026
Almost all Florida seniors will be affected as Medicare Advantage plans pare benefits and raise deductibles, while traditional Medicare sees higher Part D out-of-pocket spending caps and the elimination of $0-premium standalone drug plans.

— Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of drug

Adjective

The breakthrough was to make Bonnie’s loneliness the emotional engine.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Building an international band that includes Eiko Ishibashi, Jim O’Rourke, and a whistler, the Australian guitarist shapes longform spells of emotional and musical ambiguity.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of emotional

Noun

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
The persistent and sickening violence of Detroit could work as a powerful purgative, a corrective medicine for deprogramming those who doubt the reality of police brutality.

— Josephine Livingstone, New Republic, 8 Aug. 2017

Definition of purgative

Adjective

An unopened box may look exciting when it is surrounded by balloons, friends and the smell of cake.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026
They're packaged quite perfectly for gift-giving in a gift set of four mini bars that are just as exciting to unwrap as an (edible) holiday treat.

— Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of exciting

Noun

In Georgia, Wesley’s Law, championed by Laura and Larry Gay after their son’s death, required public schools to stock overdose-reversal medication such as naloxone.

— Meng Yang, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
Additionally, cancer survivors who are food-insecure are more likely to forgo medications and care because of cost.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of medication

Adjective

That Langley’s song has resonated to this extent without hardly any remixes or chart-boosting gimmicks makes the classic-meets-contemporary song all the more impressive.

— Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2026
Flaco the owl became a celebrity Central Park resident, with breathless news coverage of Flaco’s impressive self-preservation skills and, eventually, mournful obituaries when Flaco died after flying into a building.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of impressive

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Style

“Cathartic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cathartic. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of cathartic

adjective

noun

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