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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
Like in the original New Yorker story, Atonement builds to the meeting between Lou and the surviving Khachaturians, a potent mix of unrealized emotion and catharsis.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Stappard understands that catharsis matters too, and the film’s conclusion is exhilarating.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 May 2026
Her fable depicts twin sisters on a revenge road trip, setting out to right the wrongs of their early childhood at the behest of their estranged mother, finding some catharsis along the way.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
During Movie Night—when footage from the season is played to reveal any secrets Islanders have managed to keep from each other in the tiny property where they're filmed 24-hours a day—Rob got a moment of catharsis with his ex.
—Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for catharsis
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Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
Stappard understands that catharsis matters too, and the film’s conclusion is exhilarating.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 May 2026
Her fable depicts twin sisters on a revenge road trip, setting out to right the wrongs of their early childhood at the behest of their estranged mother, finding some catharsis along the way.
—Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
During Movie Night—when footage from the season is played to reveal any secrets Islanders have managed to keep from each other in the tiny property where they're filmed 24-hours a day—Rob got a moment of catharsis with his ex.
—Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 14 May 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 21 May. 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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