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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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
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Recent Examples of cathartic
Katie Campione, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026
These plays are often brilliant, and even lesser variants are fun to watch, because piñata-whacking itself is a naughty thrill, a cathartic fantasy for anyone with a family and/or a secret.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
Centering on a cathartic four-year relationship, her new material encompasses the contrast between fantasy and reality as Mark grapples with larger existential questions about love.
—Zara Irshad, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2026
In a year where Hamnet became a nexus point for cathartic weeping, Come See Me in the Good Light can stand tear duct–to–tear duct with anything the Bard could serve up.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cathartic
Adjective
After letting out a cathartic scream, Madigan giggled.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 15 Mar. 2026
These plays are often brilliant, and even lesser variants are fun to watch, because piñata-whacking itself is a naughty thrill, a cathartic fantasy for anyone with a family and/or a secret.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2026
Centering on a cathartic four-year relationship, her new material encompasses the contrast between fantasy and reality as Mark grapples with larger existential questions about love.
—Zara Irshad, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Mar. 2026
In a year where Hamnet became a nexus point for cathartic weeping, Come See Me in the Good Light can stand tear duct–to–tear duct with anything the Bard could serve up.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cathartic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cathartic
Adjective
-
At the Ricardo residence in the ’50s sitcom I Love Lucy, over-the-top housewife Lucy and Ricky, her excitable husband, were always getting into some sort of entertaining hijinks.—
Michael Gioia,
Architectural Digest,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Between each dance was an excruciating silence during which network-TV producers monitored and reset their equipment while the men fidgeted onstage like excitable children.—
Rebecca Jennings,
Vulture,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The planned execution of Thomas Creech in 2024 could not be carried out because a suitable vein could not be found to administer lethal drugs.—
Sally Krutzig,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Police have arrested a man in connection with a fatal drug overdose in Fairfield in December.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Is this emotional state of particular interest to you?—
Nina Mesfin,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Security grows as the emotional Moon in your 2nd House of Production trines cheerful Jupiter in your 10th House of Gains.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
-
Or merely the tall-tale purgative of a frantic Purgatorian?—
Tom Nolan,
WSJ,
11 June 2021
Adjective
-
The oil control remains an exciting proposition to control excess shine today for an intelligent matte coverage that adjusts with you.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Amazon's Spring Sale is almost at an end, but there are still some exciting deals for you!—
George Yang,
PC Magazine,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The trend also comes at a time when weight-loss medications are on the rise, more ultra-thin physiques appear to dominate red carpets and some social media users have built platforms off the outward pursuit of thinness.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Why Powder Prices Keep Rising Whey protein powder prices have reached record highs over the last several years due to supply shortages and surging demand, partly driven by the explosion of GLP-1 weight-loss medications.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Heat is now an impressive 12-4 on the second night of back-to-backs this season.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
-
There’s also an impressive range of side dishes made with seasonal vegetables.—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This could apply to writing projects, study, publishing, the law or medicine.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The flat logistic curve that makes the rising tide gradual also means the final climb toward 99%-plus reliability is a long one, a meaningful buffer for error-intolerant professions in law, medicine, and engineering.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cathartic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cathartic. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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