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Word History of Catharsis and Cathartic
Catharsis and cathartic both trace to the Greek word kathairein, meaning “to cleanse, purge.” Catharsis entered English as a medical term having to do with purging the body—and especially the bowels—of unwanted material. The adjective cathartic entered English with a meaning descriptive of such a physically cleansing purge. It didn’t take long for people to start using these words figuratively in reference to emotional release and spiritual cleansing.
Examples of catharsis in a Sentence
She has learned to have her catharsis, take a deep breath and move on. … she does not dwell on the negative anymore.
—
Selena Roberts, New York Times, 24 June 2001
… malevolence is expressed in his decision to absent himself from the courtroom, thereby denying some victims of his torture the catharsis of compelling him to hear their stories of survival.
—George F. Will, Newsweek, 25 May 1987
… there's the need for catharsis. If you play it all back a second time, you may wear away some of the pain, as you wear away a record with replaying.
—Anatole Broyard, New York Times Book Review, 14 Nov. 1982
As soon as we emerged from the gates of the White House, I became aware of that sea of faces. … I wanted to cry for them and with them, but it was impossible to permit the catharsis of tears.
—Lady Bird Johnson 24 Nov. 1963,
in A White House Diary, 1970
Acting is a means of catharsis for her.
Painting is a catharsis for me.
Selena Roberts, New York Times, 24 June 2001
… malevolence is expressed in his decision to absent himself from the courtroom, thereby denying some victims of his torture the catharsis of compelling him to hear their stories of survival.
—George F. Will, Newsweek, 25 May 1987
… there's the need for catharsis. If you play it all back a second time, you may wear away some of the pain, as you wear away a record with replaying.
—Anatole Broyard, New York Times Book Review, 14 Nov. 1982
As soon as we emerged from the gates of the White House, I became aware of that sea of faces. … I wanted to cry for them and with them, but it was impossible to permit the catharsis of tears.
—Lady Bird Johnson 24 Nov. 1963,
in A White House Diary, 1970
Acting is a means of catharsis for her.
Painting is a catharsis for me.
Recent Examples on the Web
Movies have hopeful messages like this because emotional catharsis in art is engaging.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
The Nuggets ended the game on a 21-5 run and a catharsis, as Jamal Murray nailed a dagger 3-pointer and played to the crowd that had jeered his team not long ago.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
Till has long been involved with a nonprofit organization called the Firekeeper Alliance, associated with Fire in the Mountains, teaching students on the reservation about how metal can be used as an outlet for catharsis as an alternative to contemplating suicide.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
That’s not a catharsis Ready or Not 2 is interested in offering, however.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catharsis
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Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Mar. 2026
The Nuggets ended the game on a 21-5 run and a catharsis, as Jamal Murray nailed a dagger 3-pointer and played to the crowd that had jeered his team not long ago.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
Till has long been involved with a nonprofit organization called the Firekeeper Alliance, associated with Fire in the Mountains, teaching students on the reservation about how metal can be used as an outlet for catharsis as an alternative to contemplating suicide.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2026
That’s not a catharsis Ready or Not 2 is interested in offering, however.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for catharsis
Cite this Entry
“Catharsis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catharsis. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
catharsis
noun
ca·thar·sis
kə-ˈthär-səs 
: the act or process of relieving a strong emotion (as pity or fear) especially by expressing it in art form
cathartic
adjective
-ˈthärt-ik
Medical Definition
catharsis
noun
ca·thar·sis
variants
also katharsis
plural catharses also katharses
-ˌsēz
1
2
: elimination of a complex by bringing it to consciousness and affording it expression compare abreaction
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