ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cathartic

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //kəˈθɑɹtɪk// UK //kæθˈɑːtɪk// cathar·tic

n. a feeling of relief or release after you have been through a difficult or emotional experience. It is like a deep breath of fresh air after a long, hard time.

n. a sense of emotional relief or release following a period of intense stress or trauma. Often used to describe the psychological benefit of expressing repressed feelings.


SIMPLE

Writing about my problems was a cathartic experience.

CONTEXTUAL

The group therapy session provided a cathartic release for the participants, allowing them to share their grief openly.

COMPLEX

While the initial shock of the diagnosis was overwhelming, the subsequent months of counseling proved to be a deeply cathartic journey toward emotional stability.

Synonyms
Origin

Learned borrowing from New Latin catharticus, from Ancient Greek καθαρτικός (kathartikós).

© 2026 English Reference