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

In a time of increasingly frictionless digital consumption, there’s something cathartic about the raw experience of guitar music, as compared with the precise beats of electronic music. — Michelle Bruton, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Running shifted from simply fitness exercise into a more powerful, cathartic force. — Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 17 Aug. 2026 Writer-director Jesse Eisenberg (A Real Pain, NYFF62), who also wrote the show’s music and lyrics, keeps things expertly balanced on a knife’s edge between musical theater satire and cathartic character study. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026 Back in the Big Easy, that victory ignited cathartic, rapturous celebrations and set the stage for a victory parade as wild and well-attended as any held during Mardi Gras. — ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cathartic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cathartic

Adjective

Ross doesn’t tend towards punch-the-air climaxes—just warm, excitable builds.

— Shaad D’Souza, Pitchfork, 27 Aug. 2026
Shaffelburg’s boundless enthusiasm and high work rate led one LAFC staffer to liken him to an excitable golden retriever, a comparison the player did not challenge.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of excitable

Noun

One of the first focuses under the new corporate structure will be addressing cancer drug affordability, Shah said, with a goal of accelerating the adoption of lower-cost biosimilars, which are clinically equivalent drugs akin to generic drugs.

— Ian Thomas, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Scott’s narrator, Louise, is a musician of sorts, a frequent drug user, and a desperate diehard romantic, forever dogged by her ex-girlfriend Alex.

— Robert Rubsam, New Yorker, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of drug

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

That performance and a handful of others leads the way as the UFC wrapped up an exciting event from Shanghai.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
While a lot of the shorts are fully animated, the parts where this cartoon interacts with the real world were the most exciting then and are still a delight now.

— James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of exciting

Noun

Health care providers may also recommend sleep medications for short-term relief, but these are generally viewed as temporary tools rather than permanent solutions, explains Troxel.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Citing medical privacy laws, Ryan Gustin, a spokesperson for CoreCivic, declined to answer questions about Bartko’s allegations that her medication was confiscated and withheld from her for nearly two weeks.

— Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of medication

Adjective

Besiktas had been chasing Joe Willock, who seemed a shoo-in to depart, but an impressive start under Jaissle brought a rethink; a contract extension is possible.

— George Caulkin, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
My mom’s longtime favorite flip-flops have a super impressive discount today, so act fast to snap them up before summer officially comes to a close.

— Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of impressive

Noun

Everything from medicine to politics to basketball is based on the idea of working as a collective.

— Eden Laase, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Iranian weapon stockpiles are also likely being depleted, and citizens are struggling to access basic goods – including food and medicine.

— Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of medicine

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“Cathartic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cathartic. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of cathartic

adjective

noun

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