CATHARTIC Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

cathartic 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of cathartic

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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

cathartic

2 of 2

noun

as in drug

a substance used to induce or speed up the process of defecation Epsom salts, when ingested, act as a cathartic.

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cathartic

Adjective

It was meant to be a moving, cathartic experience for all involved. — Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026 Just sitting in a room with so many other people sharing the same experiences was cathartic. — Beth Hawkins, Denver Post, 15 Sep. 2026 Talking through messy emotions is cathartic as the moon harmonizes with Chiron. — Usa Today, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026 To Morrison, as well as to the filmmakers, this awful backstory makes something cathartic of his accomplishment. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cathartic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cathartic

Adjective

Kalind, the younger brother of a bonobo named Kevin, was the more excitable and playful of the two.

— J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 29 Sep. 2026
Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Deanna is a proud mother of three and an excitable introvert.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of excitable

Noun

Imprisoned since 2004 and serving a life sentence, Buchanan was accused of directing drug sales, extortion, gambling and violence across San Diego County and beyond.

— Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
They were showered with expensive clothes, spa treatments, and drugs, and given weekly allowances ranging from $150 to $200.

— Samantha Bergeson, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of drug

Adjective

The history between these men is more noxious than your garden-variety case of paternal neglect — there’s been emotional and physical abuse.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
That’s not because Crystal soft-pedals the emotional horror of returning to your home to find charred remains after watching, helpless, as flames took the locus of all your best memories.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of emotional

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
The persistent and sickening violence of Detroit could work as a powerful purgative, a corrective medicine for deprogramming those who doubt the reality of police brutality.

— Josephine Livingstone, New Republic, 8 Aug. 2017

Definition of purgative

Adjective

Perhaps less exciting is the fact her failures are more than just the flawed Edison machine.

— Torie Bosch, STAT, 24 Oct. 2026
The radio series takes in interviews with academic hormone specialists, including the team at Imperial College in London who are conducting some of the most exciting and innovative research in this area.

— Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of exciting

Adjective

Reid was truly impressive in all facets and a guy Hornets fans are really going to like.

— Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 22 Oct. 2026
The character creator is impressive, too, with a huge number of unlockable outfits and accessories, as well as classic alien races from the movies and cartoons.

— Brad Bourque, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of impressive

Noun

The first step will be to clarify what people need and organize the delivery of food, medicine, hygiene products and other essentials, Lantratova said in an online statement.

— BEN FINLEY, Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2026
There is not enough scientific evidence to recommend mouth tape as a treatment for snoring or sleep disorders, according to pediatric sleep medicine specialist Brian Chen, MD.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of medicine

Browse Nearby Words

catfights

cathartic

cathartics

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cathartic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cathartic. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cathartic

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on cathartic

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

shindig

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes