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.
Example Sentences
AdjectiveThere's something cathartic about a punch in the nose. Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated, 28 Jan. 2002But Vietnam is hard to sell as a tidy, cathartic morality tale of troubled times overcome. Jennifer Homans, New Republic, 2 & 9 Dec. 2002Many veterans, at first reluctant to speak, ultimately uncorked their emotions in a cathartic explosion. Stanley Karnow, New York Times Book Review, 22 Nov. 1992It provokes no healthy tears, whereas Cervantes never fails … to open the cathartic floodgates. Anthony Burgess, Homage to Qwert Yuiop: Selected Journalism 1978-1985, 1986
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Being able to have that, in a public sense, and see the outpouring of support is very cathartic and has encouraged me to share the story more. Steve Larese, Outside Online, 30 Aug. 2022 And seeing that magnificent end for Violet was very cathartic. Jamie Kravitz, Woman's Day, 29 June 2022 The final product served as a cathartic release for Rexx Life Raj, who delivered his The Blue Hour album in July. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 24 Aug. 2022 For those who enjoy viciousness, the scenes may offer a biting, cathartic release. Robert Daniels, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2022 For a while after this cathartic moment, things seem to be going Ruth's way. Evan Romano, Men's Health, 2 May 2022 For the Wolverines, this is a cathartic, narrative-shifting moment loaded with ramifications that will echo until the two rivals meet again next November. Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2021 Yet the most cathartic release of the visit wasn’t when Dr. Matt cracked me like a glow stick. Grace Perry, Outside Online, 21 Apr. 2021 Sharing frustrations and spewing complaints can be cathartic, bonding and even productive. Rachel Feintzeig, WSJ, 8 Aug. 2022
Noun
Some people find free-writing in a journal cathartic. Molly Longman, refinery29.com, 11 Jan. 2021 See More
Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Noun
Late Latin or Greek; Late Latin catharticus, from Greek kathartikos, from kathairein — see catharsis