cathexis

noun

Definition of cathexisnext
as in emotion

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 cathexis Dependency and cathexis are also incredibly painful and difficult to extricate yourself from. — Janey Starling, refinery29.com, 10 Apr. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cathexis
  1. emotion
  2. intensity
  3. obsession
  4. infatuation
  5. violence
  6. heat
  7. fervor
  8. mania
Noun
  • Days filled with screenings, meetings, press conferences, discussion, discoveries, emotion, and, inevitably, a few surprises.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 2 Sep. 2026
  • There is a portion of Royals fans who wish manager Matt Quatraro would show more emotion during the season.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of emotion
Noun
  • Thom’s uncomfortable intensity carries over to Hamburger Hamlet, where the tension between the couple finally reaches a breaking point.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The tool kit suggests states use concurrent review to compare delivered hours against authorized hours and test whether intensity still tracks progress.
    — JP Montoya, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of intensity
Noun
  • One student told Leahy that the problem wasn’t decadence but an obsession with achievement and perfection.
    — Deputy Managing Editor, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Chalk it up to a collective spice and condiment obsession, which grows more nuanced by the day.
    — Maggie Hennessy, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of obsession
Noun
  • My own Hard Rock infatuation came full circle on a 2022 mother-daughter trip.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Gad performed a new song about his character's latest infatuation.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of infatuation
Noun
  • Younger adults, between the ages of 18 to 29, were more likely than others to say violence was sometimes OK, especially those with heavy social media use, according to the study.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The council was issuing a proclamation about gun violence prevention.
    — Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of violence
Noun
  • Return to medium-high heat, cover pan with a tight-fitting lid, and cook until mussels open and sauce is bubbling, 5–7 minutes.
    — Claire Wadsworth, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Staying safe in Pittsburgh's heat Allegheny County encouraged residents to check on neighbors, friends and family, particularly older adults or people with health conditions.
    — Finch Walker, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of heat
Noun
  • Meanwhile, those in Boulder are eager to see if Sanders can replicate the fervor of the first two years of his tenure, when visitors flooded the picturesque Pearl Street Mall.
    — Christopher Kamrani, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • That fervor might be enough reason to declare KPop Demon Hunters a contemporary classic and worthy of Criterion status.
    — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of fervor
Noun
  • What's your relationship to paparazzi and social media mania, given you’ve been in the spotlight for so long?
    — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Other moviegoers adored his campy but somehow restrained mania as the butler in Clue, or delighted in his nasty smarm as the concierge in Home Alone 2.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of mania

Browse Nearby Words

cathedrals
cathexis
catholic
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Cathexis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cathexis. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All