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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Recent Examples of cathartic
Rabih Alameddine
september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
The story unfolds in dual timelines, exploring the whirlwind romance between Elsie and Ben and the cathartic relationship between Elsie and Susan.
—Katie Mannion, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
At one point, MacLachlan orchestrates a heart-stopping moment of reckoning for Bill and Tammy, written with a sudden, cathartic directness—a break in their usual language of deferential hesitations—which the actors underplay to perfection.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Manager Dave Roberts confessed that the sweep was more than just a little bit cathartic for the Dodgers, coming out of their previous rough patch.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cathartic
Adjective
No matter how sad their stories are, how awful, hearing from people whose voices are rarely listened to is exquisitely cathartic.
—Rabih Alameddine
september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
The story unfolds in dual timelines, exploring the whirlwind romance between Elsie and Ben and the cathartic relationship between Elsie and Susan.
—Katie Mannion, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025
At one point, MacLachlan orchestrates a heart-stopping moment of reckoning for Bill and Tammy, written with a sudden, cathartic directness—a break in their usual language of deferential hesitations—which the actors underplay to perfection.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2025
Manager Dave Roberts confessed that the sweep was more than just a little bit cathartic for the Dodgers, coming out of their previous rough patch.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cathartic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cathartic
Adjective
-
When pyramidal cells are too excitable, memory processing becomes noisy and disorganized.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Tony has fully bought into the dream, and Skarsgård plays him with excitable, boyish humor, almost as if the whole thing were a game.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Petro has scaled back efforts to target drug supply, instead trying to solve the issue through social programs.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The researchers tested their two-part drug on mice and zebrafish engineered to produce β-glucuronidase, and found that the drug was activated almost exclusively in tumors, sparing healthy tissue and organs.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Often, the end of a close bond is a quiet, gradual process marked by subtle clues and a sense of growing emotional distance.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
-
An emotional support alligator who has spent the past few years going to church, restaurants, and grocery stores can no longer go to Walmart after a customer complained.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
20 Sep. 2025
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
-
Or merely the tall-tale purgative of a frantic Purgatorian?—
Tom Nolan,
WSJ,
11 June 2021
Adjective
-
Don't miss this exciting matchup, which can be viewed live on Fubo.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Each day delivers a tiny surprise and a chance to discover your next full-sized, must-have, making your countdown as exciting as the big day itself.—
Katie Ann Lehman,
StyleCaster,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There are medications people can take to slow down the virus, but there's no cure.—
Dr. Jade Cobern,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
-
An additional part of managing the stress and emotional strain associated with cancer can be medication, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications.—
Julie Scott,
PEOPLE,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The team's away record is also impressive, with two wins and one draw, showcasing its ability to perform under pressure in hostile environments.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Also, while the 16 Plus' battery life isn’t class-leading, its 167-nit brightness at our 50% testing setting is impressive, particularly compared with the Asus and Samsung.—
Charles Jefferies,
PC Magazine,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
When Best of Beauty launched in 1996, skin care was something best kept hidden behind your medicine cabinet.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
At the time, society considered whiskey as a suitable medicine for cancer, typhoid, and diphtheria among other illnesses.—
Maggie Menderski,
Louisville Courier Journal,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cathartic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cathartic. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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